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Do you see this egg? With this you can topple every theological theory, every church or temple in the world. What is it, this egg, before the seed is introduced into it? An insentient mass. And after the seed has been introduced to into it? What is it then? An insentient mass. For what is the seed itself other than a crude and inanimate fluid? How is this mass to make a transition to a different structure, to sentience, to life? Through heat. And what will produce that heat in it? Motion.

Denis Diderot#66

LifeScienceTheologyMaterialism

About this quote

What does it mean?
Diderot argues that life emerges from matter through physical processes like heat and motion rather than divine intervention.
In plain terms
Life comes from physical changes in matter, not from a soul or god.
What can you take from it?
Physical processes explain life better than theological theories.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debates
  • scientific education
  • atheism discussions

Putting it to work

  • explain biology
  • challenge religion
  • teach science

Questions to consider

  • How does life begin?
  • Is science enough to explain existence?

Another view

It overlooks the complexity of how consciousness arises.

More from Denis Diderot

  1. We are all instruments endowed with feeling and memory. Our senses are so many strings that are struck by surrounding objects and that also frequently strike t…

    Permalink to quote #65
  2. Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs.

    Permalink to quote #67
  3. The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.

    Permalink to quote #68

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