The Like/Hate Thread

[Belle Hibiki]

Sigh im sorry I cant beleive in the theory of evolution when the man who made it famous (Charles Darwain.) even on his death bead said it was a load of hogwash.

Although I am fully convinced of the truth of the views given in this volume under the form of an abstract, I by no means expect to convince experienced naturalists whose minds are stocked with a multitude of facts all viewed, during a long course of years, from a point of view directly opposite to mine.

Charles Darwin, Origin of Species, second British edition, 1860

Full quote:

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Although I am fully convinced of the truth of the views given in this volume under the form of an abstract, I by no means expect to convince experienced naturalists whose minds are stocked with a multitude of facts all viewed, during a long course of years, from a point of view directly opposite to mine. It is so easy to hide our ignorance under such expressions as the "plan of creation," "unity of design," &c., and to think that we give an explanation when we only restate a fact. Any one whose disposition leads him to attach more weight to unexplained difficulties than to the explanation of a certain number of facts will certainly reject my theory. A few naturalists, endowed with much flexibility of mind, and who have already begun to doubt on the immutability of species, may be influenced by this volume; but I look with confidence to the future, to young and rising naturalists, who will be able to view both sides of the question with impartiality. Whoever is led to believe that species are mutable will do good service by conscientiously expressing his conviction; for only thus can the load of prejudice by which this subject is overwhelmed be removed.

Charles Darwin, Origin of Species, second British edition, 1860

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He fully believed in what he was writing. His tempered language is because no one really believed him at the time. His observations and ideas bordered on heresy.

Edit: I said he was part of the church, but that needs fact-checking. I might be thinking of Hobbes or some other guy.