Absurdity Quote by Robert G. Ingersoll
““We know that there are many animals on this continent not found in the Old World. These must have been carried from here to the ark, and then brought back afterwards. Were the peccary, armadillo, ant-eater, sloth, agouti, vampire-bat, marmoset, howling and prehensile-tailed monkey, the raccoon and muskrat carried by the angels from America to Asia? How did they get there? Did the polar bear leave his field of ice and journey toward the tropics? How did he know where the ark was? Did the kangaroo swim or jump from Australia to Asia? Did the giraffe, hippopotamus, antelope and orang-outang journey from Africa in search of the ark? Can absurdities go farther than this?””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: The Great American Debate, 1882
He questions how animals crossed continents, using absurdity to challenge literal interpretations of religious stories.
In simple terms: Question animal origins and reject literal ark myths.
Key Takeaway
Seek scientific explanations over myth.
Themes
science
myth
animal migration
critical thinking
history
Mood
inquisitive
skeptical
analytical
Type
educational
critical
When to use this quote
- education
- debate
- public lecture
- writing
Key Concepts
Biogeography
skepticism
religious critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports animal migration?
- How do myths shape our view of nature?
A Different Perspective
Literal interpretations ignore evidence.
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