--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's natural to think that living things…" description: "\"It's natural to think that living things must be the handiwork of a designer. But it was also natural to think that the sun went around the earth. Over..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/steven-pinker-526_calling_it-s-natural-to-think-that-living-things_2005486.jpg" --- # It's natural to think that living things must be the… ![“It's natural to think that living things must be the handiwork of a designer. But it was also natural to think that the sun went around the earth. Overcoming naive impressions to figure out how things really work is one of humanity's highest callings.” quote by Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/steven-pinker-526_calling_it-s-natural-to-think-that-living-things_2005486.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/steven-pinker-526_calling_it-s-natural-to-think-that-living-things_2005486.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/steven-pinker-526_calling_it-s-natural-to-think-that-living-things_2005486.jpg) > “It's natural to think that living things must be the handiwork of a designer. But it was also natural to think that the sun went around the earth. Overcoming naive impressions to figure out how things really work is one of humanity's highest callings.” [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human understanding advances by challenging intuitive but and seeking evidence. **In simple terms:** Question assumptions to discover truth. Key Takeaway Question assumptions. Themes science critical thinking progress Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - public policy - personal belief - scientific research Key Concepts philosophy epistemology cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What belief have you questioned recently? - How do you handle evidence that contradicts intuition? A Different Perspective Intuitive beliefs are deeply rooted and resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Handiwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handiwork/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Living things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living-things/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“It's natural to think that living things must be the handiwork of a designer. But it was also natural to think that the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/it-s-natural-to-think-that-living-things-must-be-the-handiwork-of-a-2/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, "Go throughout the earth!" So they went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zechariah-6-7/when-the-powerful-horses-went-out-they-were-straining-to-go/) Zechariah 6:7 > [Overcoming naive impressions to figure out how things really work is one of humanity's highest callings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/overcoming-naive-impressions-to-figure-out-how-things-really-work-is/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [I think I do have my own technique. I don't like to depend on teachers. 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I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/it-s-true-that-the-level-of-scientific-knowledge-among-adults-is-very/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [I think my strength is always been in being very natural. I think Shakespeare and things like that would be more a stretch for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-gilford/i-think-my-strength-is-always-been-in-being-very-natural-i-think/) [Zach Gilford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-gilford/) > [I feel like people can feel when something is natural. I think they can tell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pusha-t/i-feel-like-people-can-feel-when-something-is-natural-i-think-they/) [Pusha T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pusha-t/) > [It's difficult for my mum because she doesn't know half of the things that happened. 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Or to worship the sun?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-james-duncan/is-the-work-of-sun-worshippers-to-honor-those-who-think-they-can-see/) [David James Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-james-duncan/) ## More by Steven Pinker > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [Consistent style prevents presentation from getting in the way of content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/consistent-style-prevents-presentation-from-getting-in-the-way-of/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [The supposedly immaterial soul, we now know, can be bisected with a knife, altered by chemicals, started or stopped by electricity, and extinguished by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-supposedly-immaterial-soul-we-now-know-can-be-bisected-with-a/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [I've never argued that humans are massively hot-wired. 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Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [“Duty is a done deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/duty-is-a-done-deal/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [NBC is making a movie about Martha Stewart that will cover the recent stock scandal. 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