Evolution Quote by Thomas Nagel
![“The denier that ID [intelligent design] is science faces the following dilemma. Either he admits that the intervention of such a designer is possible, or he does not. If he does not, he must explain why that belief is more scientific than the belief that a designer is possible. If on the other…” quote by Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/53b/thomas-nagel-9440_faith_the-denier-that-id-intelligent-design-is_1724073.jpg)
““The denier that ID [intelligent design] is science faces the following dilemma. Either he admits that the intervention of such a designer is possible, or he does not. If he does not, he must explain why that belief is more scientific than the belief that a designer is possible. If on the other hand he believes that a designer is possible, then he can argue that the evidence is overwhelmingly against the actions of such a designer, but he cannot say that someone who offers evidence on the other side is doing something of a fundamentally different kind. All he can say about that person is that he is scientifically mistaken.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public debate on intelligent design, 1990s
The quote argues that denying intelligent design as science forces a logical dilemma about the possibility and evidence of a designer, labeling opposing views as scientifically mistaken.
In simple terms: Denying intelligent design creates a logical dilemma about its possibility and evidence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the logical inconsistency and evaluate evidence objectively.
Themes
philosophy
science
debate
logic
skepticism
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
argumentative
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic discussions
- policy making
- education curriculum
- public lectures
- media analysis
Key Concepts
epistemology
burden of proof
scientific methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does one assess the scientific merit of non‑material explanations?
- What criteria define a claim as scientific?
A Different Perspective
The argument may oversimplify complex scientific and philosophical positions.
![“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)
