Buddhism Quote by N.T. Wright
““Not only was the theory of evolution not invented by Darwin himself; it wasn’t invented by his Enlightenment predecessors either. It was invented by Epicurus (looking back to Democritus and others) and popularized by Lucretius. It wasn’t and isn’t a new, modern discovery. It is simply one part of one ancient worldview.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: History of Evolutionary Thought, 2010
Evolutionary ideas predate Darwin, tracing back to Epicurus and Lucretius, showing continuity with ancient philosophy.
In simple terms: Evolution concepts existed before Darwin, rooted in ancient thought.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the deep history of scientific ideas.
Themes
science
history
philosophy
evolution
Mood
educational
thoughtful
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic courses
- public lectures
- science communication
Key Concepts
ancient worldview
intellectual lineage
Questions to Reflect On
- How do ancient ideas influence modern science?
- What does this continuity mean for scientific progress?
A Different Perspective
May simplify complex intellectual history.
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