Skip to content

Animal Quote by Joel Garreau

“The Harvard Law of Animal Behavior holds that under controlled experimental conditions of temperature, time, lighting, feeding, and training, the organism will behave as it damn well pleases.” quote by Joel Garreau
Download Open image
“The Harvard Law of Animal Behavior holds that under controlled experimental conditions of temperature, time, lighting, feeding, and training, the organism will behave as it damn well pleases.”

Joel Garreau

About This Quote

Source Book: Edge: The Future of Everything, 2015

Organisms act according to their own preferences when environmental variables are tightly controlled.

In simple terms: Animals follow their own will under controlled conditions.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the limits of control in experiments.

Themes

behavior control experiment biology

Mood

analytical curious

Type

scientific observational

When to use this quote

  • lab research
  • animal training
  • behavioral studies
  • environmental design

Key Concepts

psychology ethology environmental determinism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does environmental control affect animal autonomy?
  • What variables might still cause unexpected behavior?
A Different Perspective

Even with control, unpredictable factors can influence outcomes.

4.7 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Joel Garreau

Explore all 21 Joel Garreau quotes

More Animal quotes

Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes