Head Heart Quote by Scott Atran
““A closer look reveals that God may never have been wholly pleased with His most preferred creations in granting them the parts they have. Why did He invert the retina and give humans (but not the octopus) a blind spot? Why, in making us upright, did He render us so liable to back problems? Why did He give us just one head, heart, and liver instead of two? After all, having two lungs and kidneys is surely better than having one of each: if you have only one and it fails, you die; if you have two and only one fails, you live.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Human Evolution and Physiology, 2015
Human anatomy has quirks that seem inefficient, prompting questions about design and evolution.
In simple terms: Our bodies have odd flaws.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfections while seeking functional improvements.
Themes
evolution
design
biology
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- medical research
- prosthetic design
- education on biology
Key Concepts
anatomical trade‑offs
evolutionary constraints
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we assume all biological features must be optimal?
- How can recognizing imperfections inspire innovation?
A Different Perspective
Not all flaws are detrimental; some serve hidden purposes.
![“But his Lordship [tells]us that God is wholly here, and wholly there, and wholly every where; because he has no parts. I cannot comprehend nor conceive this. For methinks it implies also that the whole world is also in the whole God, and in every part of God. Norcan I find anything of this in the…” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9db/thomas-hobbes-1127_believe_but-his-lordship-tells-us-that-god-is-wh_2417886.jpg)
