--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My main reason for scepticism about the…" description: "\"“My main reason for scepticism about the Huxley/Sagan theory is that the human brain is demonstrably eager to see faces in random patterns, as we know ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/richard-dawkins-115_carl-sagan_my-main-reason-for-scepticism-about-the_110929.jpg" --- # My main reason for scepticism about the Huxley/Sagan… ![“My main reason for scepticism about the Huxley/Sagan theory is that the human brain is demonstrably eager to see faces in random patterns, as we know from scientific evidence, on top of the numerous legends about faces of Jesus, or the Virgin Mary, or Mother Teresa, being seen on slices of toast…” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/richard-dawkins-115_carl-sagan_my-main-reason-for-scepticism-about-the_110929.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/richard-dawkins-115_carl-sagan_my-main-reason-for-scepticism-about-the_110929.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/richard-dawkins-115_carl-sagan_my-main-reason-for-scepticism-about-the_110929.jpg) > ““My main reason for scepticism about the Huxley/Sagan theory is that the human brain is demonstrably eager to see faces in random patterns, as we know from scientific evidence, on top of the numerous legends about faces of Jesus, or the Virgin Mary, or Mother Teresa, being seen on slices of toast, or pizzas, or patches of damp on a wall. This eagerness is enhanced if the pattern departs from randomness in the specific direction of being symmetrical.”” [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human brains are wired to see faces in random patterns, a tendency amplified by symmetry, which explains why people report seeing holy figures on mundane surfaces. **In simple terms:** Our pattern‑seeking brain creates false facial images. Key Takeaway Pareidolia + symmetry leads to perceived sacred images. Themes Cognitive Bias Pareidolia Pattern Recognition Religion Symmetry Mood Analytical Skeptical Type Scientific Explanation Philosophical Observation When to use this quote - Seeing faces on clouds - Interpreting religious icons in graffiti - Analyzing marketing images for hidden faces Key Concepts Neuroscience of Perception Anthropology of Symbolism Practical Applications - Educate about pareidolia to reduce superstition - Design visual warnings that avoid accidental face‑like patterns Questions to Reflect On - How does cultural background influence pareidolia? - Can training reduce false facial perception? A Different Perspective Not all perceived faces are purely random; cultural conditioning also plays a role. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Carl-sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carl-sagan-2/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Human brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-brain/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Scepticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scepticism/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Virgin mary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virgin-mary/) ## Related quotes > [“Para criaturas pequenas como nós, a vastidão só é suportável através do amor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/para-criaturas-pequenas-como-n-s-a-vastid-o-s-suport-vel-atrav-s-do/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Those at too great a distance may, I am well are, mistake ignorance for perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/those-at-too-great-a-distance-may-i-am-well-are-mistake-ignorance-for/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“It does no harm to the romance of the sunset to know a little about it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-does-no-harm-to-the-romance-of-the-sunset-to-know-a-little-about-it/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“When my husband died, because he was so famous and known for not being a believer, many people would come up to me-it still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-druyan/when-my-husband-died-because-he-was-so-famous-and-known-for-not-being/) [Ann Druyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-druyan/) > [“Billions of years from now our sun, then a distended red giant star, will have reduced Earth to a charred cinder. 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If in the future that requires violence”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-will-not-go-quietly-away-if-in-the-future-that-requires-violence/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [It's a truly disgusting idea that the creator of the universe - capable of inventing the laws of physics and designing the evolutionary process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/it-s-a-truly-disgusting-idea-that-the-creator-of-the-universe-capable/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) [Explore all 1,239 Richard Dawkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## More Carl-sagan quotes > [“Para criaturas pequenas como nós, a vastidão só é suportável através do amor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/para-criaturas-pequenas-como-n-s-a-vastid-o-s-suport-vel-atrav-s-do/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“One consequence of this train of argument is that, even if civilizations commonly arise on planets throughout the Galaxy, few of them will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/one-consequence-of-this-train-of-argument-is-that-even-if/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“CARL SAGAN SAID that if you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. 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