Absolutes Quote by Thomas Huxley
“I have endeavoured to show that no absolute structural line of demarcation, wider than that between the animals which immediately succeed us in the scale, can be drawn between the animal world and ourselves; and I may add the expression of my belief that the attempt to draw a physical distinction is equally futile, and that even the highest faculties of feeling and of intellect begin to germinate in lower forms of life.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays on Evolution by Thomas Huxley, 1863
Human beings share deep biological and mental continuities with other animals, making strict separations between “human” and “animal” meaningless.
In simple terms: We are biologically and mentally similar to other animals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize our shared nature with other species.
Themes
eology
humility
continuity
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- conservation ethics
- animal rights
- education about evolution
- interdisciplinary research
Key Concepts
Evolutionary biology
philosophy of mind
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing continuity affect our treatment of animals?
- What responsibilities arise from this shared lineage?
A Different Perspective
Some argue cultural and technological differences create a meaningful divide.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
