Believe Quote by Lyman Abbott
“Evolution does not attempt to explain the origin of life. It is simply a history of the process of life. With the secret cause of life evolution has nothing to do. A man, therefore, may be a materialistic evolutionist or a theistic evolutionist; that is, he may believe that the cause is some single unintelligent impersonal force, or he may believe that the cause is a wise and beneficent God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Evolution of Man, Lyman Abbott, 1905
The quote distinguishes scientific evolution from explanations of life's origin, noting that evolution describes biological processes while the ultimate cause can be viewed as either impersonal or divine.
In simple terms: Evolution describes life’s process, not its ultimate cause.
Key Takeaway
Consider both scientific and philosophical perspectives.
Themes
science
philosophy
theology
origin
process
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
explanatory
reflective
When to use this quote
- debates on evolution
- education
- public policy
- interfaith dialogue
- science curricula
Key Concepts
materialism
theism
causality
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you think is the ultimate cause of life?
- How can science and faith dialogue constructively?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex scientific debates and ignore nuanced theological positions.
