Absence Quote by Stephen Jay Gould
“Still, our creationist incubi, who would never let facts spoil a favorite argument, refuse to yield, and continue to assert the absence of all transitional forms by ignoring those that have been found, and continuing to taunt us with admittedly frequent examples of absence.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Structure of Evolutionary Theory, 2002
Denial of transitional fossils stems from bias, ignoring evidence that contradicts favored narratives.
In simple terms: People ignore evidence that challenges beliefs.
Key Takeaway
Seek evidence, even if uncomfortable.
Themes
bias
science
evidence
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
scientific
skeptical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- public debates
- education
- media literacy
Key Concepts
confirmation bias
fossil record
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates the rejection of contradictory data?
- How can we improve scientific literacy?
A Different Perspective
Science can be politicized, limiting acceptance.
![“I doubt if there is any single individual within the scientific community who could cope with the full range of [creationist] arguments without the help of an army of consultants in special fields.” quote by David M. Raup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/24c/david-m-raup-33751_argument_i-doubt-if-there-is-any-single-individua_592728.jpg)
