Cherish Quote by Thomas Huxley
“The quarrels of theologians and philosophers have not been about religion, but about philosophy; and philosophers not unfrequently seem to entertain the same feeling toward theologians that sportsmen cherish toward poachers.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Origin of Species, 1860
The conflict between theologians and philosophers is driven by differing methods, not by religious doctrine, and philosophers often view theologians with the same suspicion sportsmen have toward poachers.
In simple terms: Philosophers and theologians clash over methodology, not faith.
Key Takeaway
Beware of bias when evaluating opposing disciplines.
Themes
conflict
methodology
bias
faith
intellectual
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debates
- interfaith dialogues
- science education
- public policy discussions
Key Concepts
epistemology
skepticism
disciplinary tension
Questions to Reflect On
- How does methodological bias affect your view of other fields?
- Can mutual respect improve interdisciplinary dialogue?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex historical relationships.
![“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)
![“For some unknown reason, this [antiabortion] branch of Christianity cherishes the unborn and hates the living person.” quote by Vine Deloria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/beb/vine-deloria-jr-23632_branches_for-some-unknown-reason-this-antiabortio_32756.jpg)