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About this quote

What does it mean?
Darwin points out the inconsistency in accepting cosmic laws but insisting on special creation for small creatures.
In plain terms
People accept laws for the universe but want special creation for tiny insects.
What can you take from it?
Applying different standards to cosmic and biological creation reveals bias.

Where it applies

  • philosophy of science
  • religious debate
  • critical thinking

Putting it to work

  • encouraging consistent reasoning
  • challenging dogma

Questions to consider

  • Why do we accept laws for stars but not insects?
  • Is consistency required in belief?

Another view

Some believe divine action operates differently at different scales of nature.

More from Charles Darwin

  1. There is one living spirit, prevalent over this world ... which assumes a multitude of forms according to subordinate laws. There is one thinking sensible prin…

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  2. Our faculties are more fitted to recognize the wonderful structure of a beetle than a Universe.

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  3. I have watched how steadily the general feeling, as shown at elections, has been rising against Slavery. What a proud thing for England if she is the first Eur…

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