--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the history of science teaches us…" description: "\"If the history of science teaches us anything, it is that what conquers our ignorance is research, not giving up and attributing our ignorance to the m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/167/jerry-a-coyne-13913_conquer_if-the-history-of-science-teaches-us-any_2553747.jpg" --- # If the history of science teaches us anything, it is that… ![“If the history of science teaches us anything, it is that what conquers our ignorance is research, not giving up and attributing our ignorance to the miraculous work of a creator.” quote by Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/167/jerry-a-coyne-13913_conquer_if-the-history-of-science-teaches-us-any_2553747.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/167/jerry-a-coyne-13913_conquer_if-the-history-of-science-teaches-us-any_2553747.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/167/jerry-a-coyne-13913_conquer_if-the-history-of-science-teaches-us-any_2553747.jpg) > “If the history of science teaches us anything, it is that what conquers our ignorance is research, not giving up and attributing our ignorance to the miraculous work of a creator.” [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science overcomes ignorance through systematic inquiry, not surrender to supernatural explanations. **In simple terms:** Research beats superstition. Key Takeaway Prioritize evidence‑based investigation. Themes science skepticism knowledge humility Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - academic research - public policy debates - education curricula - personal belief challenges Key Concepts empiricism philosophy of science critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle uncertainty when evidence is lacking? - What role does humility play in scientific progress? A Different Perspective May ignore emotional comfort that faith provides. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attributing Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attributing-ignorance-1544165/) [Conquer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer/) [Conquers Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquers-ignorance-1544163/) [Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History of science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-of-science/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Ignorance Miraculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance-miraculous-1544164/) [Ignorance Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance-research-1544166/) [Miraculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miraculous/) [Not giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-giving-up/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Teaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-teaches-749322/) [Teach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teach/) ## Related quotes > [To come very near to a true theory, and to grasp its precise application, are two different things, as the history of science teaches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/to-come-very-near-to-a-true-theory-and-to-grasp-its-precise/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [The history of science teaches only too plainly the lesson that no single method is absolutely to be relied upon, that sources of error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-william-strutt/the-history-of-science-teaches-only-too-plainly-the-lesson-that-no/) [John William Strutt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-william-strutt/) > [The sacred is in the ordinary...it is to be found in one's daily life, in one's neighbors, friends, and family, in one's own backyard...travel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/the-sacred-is-in-the-ordinary-it-is-to-be-found-in-one-s-daily-life/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [“IF SCIENCE TEACHES ANYTHING, IT TEACHES US TO ACCEPT OUR FAILURES, AS WELL AS OUR SUCCESSES, WITH QUIET DIGNITY AND GRACE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/if-science-teaches-anything-it-teaches-us-to-accept-our-failures-as/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [True science teaches, above all, to doubt and be ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/true-science-teaches-above-all-to-doubt-and-be-ignorant/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [The clear light of science teaches us that we must be our own saviors, if we are to be found worth saving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-burbank/the-clear-light-of-science-teaches-us-that-we-must-be-our-own-saviors/) [Luther Burbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-burbank/) > [Science teaches us, in effect, to submit our reason to the truth and to know and judge of things as they are-that is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/science-teaches-us-in-effect-to-submit-our-reason-to-the-truth-and-to/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [The benefits of science are not only material ones. The truths that science teaches are of common interest the world over. The language of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-compton/the-benefits-of-science-are-not-only-material-ones-the-truths-that/) [Arthur Compton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-compton/) > [Computer science teaches and nurtures the type of thinking that 21st century citizens will need to address 21st century issues. We cannot know with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-adams/computer-science-teaches-and-nurtures-the-type-of-thinking-that-21st/) [Eric Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-adams/) > [The greatest thing that science teaches you is the law of unintended consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-druyan/the-greatest-thing-that-science-teaches-you-is-the-law-of-unintended/) [Ann Druyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-druyan/) > [Science teaches you to open your eyes and appreciate the reality around you. Religion teaches you to close your eyes and cling to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-alan-harvey/science-teaches-you-to-open-your-eyes-and-appreciate-the-reality/) [David Alan Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-alan-harvey/) > [True science teaches, above all, to doubt and to be ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/true-science-teaches-above-all-to-doubt-and-to-be-ignorant/) [Miguel De Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [If the experience of science teaches anything, it's that the world is very strange and surprising. The many revolutions in science have certainly shown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-polkinghorne/if-the-experience-of-science-teaches-anything-it-s-that-the-world-is/) [John Polkinghorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-polkinghorne/) > [“Science teaches to think but love teaches to smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santosh-kalwar/science-teaches-to-think-but-love-teaches-to-smile/) [Santosh Kalwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santosh-kalwar/) > [A popular feel for scientific endeavors should, if possible, be restored given the needs of the twenty-first century. This does not mean that every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/a-popular-feel-for-scientific-endeavors-should-if-possible-be/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) ## More by Jerry A. Coyne > [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Evolution tells us where we came from, not where we can go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/evolution-tells-us-where-we-came-from-not-where-we-can-go/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“Many people require more than just evidence before they’ll accept evolution. To these folks, evolution raises such profound questions of purpose, morality, and meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/many-people-require-more-than-just-evidence-before-they-ll-accept/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“since many traits can affect an individual's adaptation to it's environment (it's "fitness") natural selection can over eons sculpt an animal or plant into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/since-many-traits-can-affect-an-individual-s-adaptation-to-it-s/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [These mysteries about how we evolved should not distract us from the indisputable fact that we did evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/these-mysteries-about-how-we-evolved-should-not-distract-us-from-the/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Some believers are fundamentalists about everything, but every believer is a fundamentalist about something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/some-believers-are-fundamentalists-about-everything-but-every/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“In science's pecking order, evolutionary biology lurks somewhere near the bottom, far closer to phrenology than to physics. For evolutionary biology is a historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-science-s-pecking-order-evolutionary-biology-lurks-somewhere-near/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Theology is the post hoc rationalization of what you want to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/theology-is-the-post-hoc-rationalization-of-what-you-want-to-believe/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“There is an increasing (and disturbing) tendency of psychologists, biologists, and philosophers to Darwinize every aspect of human behavior, turning its study into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/there-is-an-increasing-and-disturbing-tendency-of-psychologists/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Can a geology teacher blithely tell his students that the earth is flat, or a European history professor that the Holocaust didn't happen? That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/can-a-geology-teacher-blithely-tell-his-students-that-the-earth-is/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“Life on earth evolved gradually beginning with one primitive life form – perhaps a self-replicating molecule – that lived more than 3.5 billion years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/life-on-earth-evolved-gradually-beginning-with-one-primitive-life/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Science has only two things to contribute to religion: an analysis of the evolutionary, cultural, and psychological basis for believing things that aren't true,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/science-has-only-two-things-to-contribute-to-religion-an-analysis-of/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“IDers argue that such traits, involving many parts that must cooperate for that trait to function at all, defy Darwinian explanation. Therefore, by default,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/iders-argue-that-such-traits-involving-many-parts-that-must-cooperate/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“Natural selection is not a master engineer, but a tinkerer. It doesn't produce the absolute perfection achievable by a designer starting from scratch, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/natural-selection-is-not-a-master-engineer-but-a-tinkerer-it-doesn-t/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [“Selection is both revolutionary and disturbing for the same reason: it explains apparent design in nature by a purely materialistic process that doesn't require…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/selection-is-both-revolutionary-and-disturbing-for-the-same-reason-it/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) [Explore all 48 Jerry A. Coyne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) ## More Conquer quotes > [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Man will not always stay on Earth; the pursuit of light and space will lead him to penetrate the bounds of the atmosphere, timidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/man-will-not-always-stay-on-earth-the-pursuit-of-light-and-space-will/) [Konstantin Tsiolkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/) > [It is not enough to dream of the Impossible Love - it is necessary to conquer it too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/it-is-not-enough-to-dream-of-the-impossible-love-it-is-necessary-to/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I'm ready to conquer anything thrown at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-pritchard/i-m-ready-to-conquer-anything-thrown-at-me/) [A. J. Pritchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-pritchard/) > [“They had been dreamers. Her father always said that this was why they had been easy to conquer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-rutkoski/they-had-been-dreamers-her-father-always-said-that-this-was-why-they/) [Marie Rutkoski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-rutkoski/) > [The moment you conquer one fear is the minute you conquer many fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-moment-you-conquer-one-fear-is-the-minute-you-conquer-many-fears/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [“In quixotically trying to conquer death doctors all too frequently do no good for their patients’ “ease” but at the same time they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kevorkian/in-quixotically-trying-to-conquer-death-doctors-all-too-frequently-do/) [Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kevorkian/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [At the time when this famous historical battle was fought in Kosovo, the people were looking at the stars, expecting aid from them. Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slobodan-milosevi/at-the-time-when-this-famous-historical-battle-was-fought-in-kosovo/) [Slobodan Milosević](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slobodan-milosevi/) > [I can conquer the world with one hand, as long as you are holding the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-smith/i-can-conquer-the-world-with-one-hand-as-long-as-you-are-holding-the/) [Megan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-smith/) > [ To conquer \[our enemies\] we must dare, and dare again, and dare for ever; and thus will France be saved ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-danton/to-conquer-our-enemies-we-must-dare-and-dare-again-and-dare-for-ever/) [Georges Danton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-danton/) > [I consider that the Golden Rule requires that if I like a program I must share it with other people who like it. Software…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/i-consider-that-the-golden-rule-requires-that-if-i-like-a-program-i/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) [Browse all 1,557 Conquer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If the history of science teaches us anything, it is that what conquers our ignorance is research, not giving up and attributing our ignorance to the miraculous work of a creator.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jerry A. 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