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About this quote

What does it mean?
Huxley's critique dismantled Owen's theories and his professional reputation.
In plain terms
Huxley disproved Owen's ideas and hurt his standing.
What can you take from it?
Strong criticism can dismantle both ideas and reputations.

Where it applies

  • academic rivalry
  • science history
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • peer review
  • research critique
  • public discourse

Questions to consider

  • Is damaging a reputation ever justified in science?
  • When does debate become personal?

Another view

It frames the interaction as purely destructive rather than collaborative.

More from Thomas Henry Huxley

  1. 'I think his tone is much too vehement'

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  2. 'Pope Huxley' title of an article by R.H. Hutton who complains that whilst THH advocates agnosticism for everyone else, he's apt to be a mite too certain himse…

    Permalink to quote #73
  3. 'My good and kind agent for the propagation of the Gospel; i.e. the Devil's gospel'.

    Permalink to quote #70

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