Argument Quote by John Maynard Smith
![“This argument [that life is too improbable to have arisen by chance] comes up repeatedly: its latest manifestation is Hoyle's discussion of the likelihood of a wind blowing through a junkyard assembling a Boeing 707 [sic]. What is wrong with it? Essentially, it is that no biologist imagines that…” quote by John Maynard Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8b2/john-maynard-smith-28856_argument_this-argument-that-life-is-too-improbabl_1662785.jpg)
“This argument [that life is too improbable to have arisen by chance] comes up repeatedly: its latest manifestation is Hoyle's discussion of the likelihood of a wind blowing through a junkyard assembling a Boeing 707 [sic]. What is wrong with it? Essentially, it is that no biologist imagines that complex structures arise in a single step.”
About This Quote
Source Paper: The Origins of Life, John Maynard Smith, 1995
The argument mistakenly treats complex biological structures as if they could form in one random event, ignoring gradual evolutionary processes.
In simple terms: Complex things don’t appear instantly; they build up over time.
Key Takeaway
Recognize evolution’s stepwise nature.
Themes
evolution
complexity
probability
science
misconception
Mood
critical
inquisitive
analytical
Type
scientific
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching biology
- debating creationism
- science communication
- public policy
- education
Key Concepts
gradualism
natural selection
emergence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do incremental changes lead to complexity?
- What evidence shows stepwise evolution?
A Different Perspective
It oversimplifies biology and ignores intermediate functional stages.
