Thus the creationist's favourite question 'What is the use of half an eye?' Actually, this is a lightweight question, a doddle to answer. Half an eye is just 1 per cent better than 49 per cent of an eye.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Creationist arguments against partial eyes are easily dismissed since any improvement over no function is beneficial.
- In plain terms
- Half an eye is better than less than half, so it makes sense.
- What can you take from it?
- Small improvements matter in evolution.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does gradual change work?
- What makes an adaptation?
Another view
It simplifies the complex debate about specific intermediate structures.
More from Richard Dawkins
Without religion you have good people doing good things, and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion. (Quoting …
Permalink to quote #80 The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a v…
Permalink to quote #82 Oh, but of course the story of Adam and Eve was only ever symbolic, wasn't it? Symbolic?! So Jesus had himself tortured and executed for a symbolic sin by a no…
Permalink to quote #79
Related quotes
Biologists must constantly keep in mind that what they see was not designed, but rather evolved. It might be thought, therefore, that evolutionary arguments wo…
Francis CrickFrancis Crick quote #3 The expression often used by Mr. Herbert Spencer of the Survival of the Fittest is more accurate, and is sometimes equally convenient. 2
Charles DarwinCharles Darwin quote #24 Thus the creationist's favourite question 'What is the use of half an eye?' Actually, this is a lightweight question, a doddle to answer. Half an eye is just 1…
Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins quote #103