--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Scientists rightly resist invoking the…" description: "\"Scientists rightly resist invoking the supernatural in scientific explanations for fear of committing a god-of-the-gaps fallacy (the fallacy of using G..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/william-a-dembski-10968_chance_scientists-rightly-resist-invoking-the-s_1757696.png" --- # Scientists rightly resist invoking the supernatural in… ![“Scientists rightly resist invoking the supernatural in scientific explanations for fear of committing a god-of-the-gaps fallacy (the fallacy of using God as a stop-gap for ignorance). Yet without some restriction on the use of chance, scientists are in danger of committing a logically equivalent…” quote by William A. Dembski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/william-a-dembski-10968_chance_scientists-rightly-resist-invoking-the-s_1757696.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/william-a-dembski-10968_chance_scientists-rightly-resist-invoking-the-s_1757696.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/william-a-dembski-10968_chance_scientists-rightly-resist-invoking-the-s_1757696.png) > “Scientists rightly resist invoking the supernatural in scientific explanations for fear of committing a god-of-the-gaps fallacy (the fallacy of using God as a stop-gap for ignorance). Yet without some restriction on the use of chance, scientists are in danger of committing a logically equivalent fallacy-one we may call the “chance-of-the-gaps fallacy.” Chance, like God, can become a stop-gap for ignorance.” [William A. Dembski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-dembski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relying on chance as an explanation mirrors using God as a placeholder; both avoid deeper inquiry. **In simple terms:** Using chance to explain avoids deeper investigation. Key Takeaway Seek mechanistic explanations before invoking randomness. Themes science philosophy methodology fallacy Mood critical analytical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - research design - education - public policy Key Concepts god‑of‑the‑gaps chance‑of‑the‑gaps explanatory gaps Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports a chance explanation? - How can we test for underlying mechanisms? A Different Perspective Randomness can be a convenient excuse, not a solution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Fallacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fallacy/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Serendipity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serendipity/) ## Related quotes > [The idea that God resides in the unknown is what philosophers call the God of the gaps. 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