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The following general definition of an animal: a system of different organic molecules that have combined with one another, under the impulsion of a sensation similar to an obtuse and muffled sense of touch given to them by the creator of matter as a whole, until each one of them has found the most suitable position for it shape and comfort.

Denis Diderot#48

LifeScienceBiologyDefinitionMaterialismMatter

About this quote

What does it mean?
An animal is defined as organic molecules combined to feel sensations and find comfort.
In plain terms
Animals are molecules combined to feel and find comfort.
What can you take from it?
Life is defined by physical sensation and arrangement.

Where it applies

  • biology study
  • philosophy of mind
  • classification

Putting it to work

  • define life
  • study biology
  • explain sensation

Questions to consider

  • What makes something an animal?
  • Is life just molecules?

Another view

This definition may be too reductionist.

More from Denis Diderot

  1. In order to shake a hypothesis, it is sometimes not necessary to do anything more than push it as far as it will go.

    Permalink to quote #47
  2. The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and wicked men alike are mingled.

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. There are three principal means of acquiring knowledge available to us: observation of nature, reflection, and experimentation. Observation collects facts; ref…

    Permalink to quote #46

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