--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As for organs, traits, etc., being \"for\"…" description: "\"As for organs, traits, etc., being \"for\" something, the notion may be a useful shorthand, but shouldn't be taken too seriously, if only because of the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/noam-chomsky-42_etc_as-for-organs-traits-etc-being-for-somet_2064786.jpg" --- # As for organs, traits, etc., being "for" something, the… ![“As for organs, traits, etc., being "for" something, the notion may be a useful shorthand, but shouldn't be taken too seriously, if only because of the ubiquitous phenomenon of exaptation.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/noam-chomsky-42_etc_as-for-organs-traits-etc-being-for-somet_2064786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/noam-chomsky-42_etc_as-for-organs-traits-etc-being-for-somet_2064786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/noam-chomsky-42_etc_as-for-organs-traits-etc-being-for-somet_2064786.jpg) > “As for organs, traits, etc., being "for" something, the notion may be a useful shorthand, but shouldn't be taken too seriously, if only because of the ubiquitous phenomenon of exaptation.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Traits labeled as “for” something are useful shortcuts but can be misleading due to exaptation. **In simple terms:** Labels can mislead about true function. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about trait purposes. Themes evolution exaptation semantics Mood analytical thoughtful Type academic scientific When to use this quote - educational talks - research papers - policy discussions - public debates Key Concepts biology philosophy science communication Questions to Reflect On - What examples show traits repurposed? - How do we avoid misusing functional labels? A Different Perspective Over-simplification can hide complexity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Etc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etc/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Notion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notion/) [Notion Useful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notion-useful-3957070/) [Organs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organs/) [Organs Traits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organs-traits-3957071/) [Phenomenon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phenomenon/) [Phenomenon Exaptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phenomenon-exaptation-3957069/) [Shorthand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shorthand/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Taken Seriously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken-seriously/) [Traits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traits/) ## Related quotes > [Suppose that insect wings developed primarily as thermoregulators and then were used for skimming and finally flying, evolving along the way. 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