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Carl Sagan Quotes - Page 5

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In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They

In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.

Change, Learning, Humility

Keynote address at CSICOP conference in 1987. "Do Science and the Bible Conflict?" Book by Judson Poling, p. 30, 2003.

In the fabric of space and in the nature of matter, as in a great work of art, there is, written small, the artist's signature.

Art, Nature, Space

"Contact". Book by Carl Sagan. Chapter 24, p. 431, 1985.

What counts is not what sounds plausible, not what we would like to believe, not what one or two witnesses claim, but only what is supported by hard evidence rigorously and skeptically examined. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Believe, Two, Sound

"Cosmos/ Encyclopaedia Galactica". Documentary, www.imdb.com. 1980.

The fact that someone says something doesn't mean it's true. Doesn't mean they're lying, but it doesn't mean it's true.

Education, Lying, Mean

Your religion assumes that people are children and need a boogeyman so they'll behave. You want people to believe in God so they'll obey the law. That's the only means that occurs to you: a strict secular police force, and the threat of punishment by an all-seeing God for whatever the police overlook. You sell human beings short.

Children, Believe, Mean

Carl Sagan (1997). “Contact”, p.251, Simon and Schuster

The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff

Stars, Cosmos, Stuff

Our species needs, and deserves, a citizenry with minds wide awake and a basic understanding of how the world works.

Education, Atheist, Thinking

Carl Sagan (2011). “Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark”, p.430, Ballantine Books

There are as many atoms in one molecule of DNA as there are stars in a typical galaxy.

Stars, Dna, Typical

But, Jefferson worried that the people - and the argument goes back to Thucydides and Aristotle - are easily misled. He also stressed, passionately and repeatedly, that it was essential for the people to understand the risks and benefits of government, to educate themselves, and to involve themselves in the political process. Without that, he said, the wolves will take over.

Government, People, Political

But I try not to think with my gut. If I'm serious about understanding the world, thinking with anything besides my brain, as tempting as that might be, is likely to get me into trouble.

Science, Thinking, Understanding

Carl Sagan (2011). “Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark”, p.234, Ballantine Books

Curiosity and the urge to solve problems are the emotional hallmarks of our species.

Emotional, Curiosity, Problem

Carl Sagan (2012). “Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence”, p.81, Ballantine Books

The surface of the Earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean. On this shore, we've learned most of what we know. Recently, we've waded a little way out, maybe ankle-deep, and the water seems inviting. Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We long to return, and we can, because the cosmos is also within us. We're made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.

Stars, Ocean, Long

"Cosmos: A Personal Voyage". Documentary (1990 Update). Episode 1: "The Shores of the Cosmic Ocean", 1990.

Science is a way to not fool ourselves.

Science, Way, Fool

The Big Bang is our modern scientific creation myth. It comes from the same human need to solve the cosmological riddle [Where did the universe come from?]

Bangs, Needs, Creation

Ask courageous questions. Do not be satisfied with superficial answers.

Answers, Courageous, Superficial

Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from deep nonsense.

Atheist, Mean, Science

Carl Sagan (1979). “Broca's brain: reflections on the romance of science”, Random House Inc

An extraterrestrial being, newly arrived on Earth - scrutinizing what we mainly present to our children in television, radio, movies, newspapers, magazines, the comics, and many books - might easily conclude that we are intent on teaching them murder, rape, cruelty, superstition, credulity, and consumerism. We keep at it, and through constant repetition many of them finally get it.

Children, Book, Teaching

Carl Sagan (2011). “Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark”, p.66, Ballantine Books

We are one species. We are starstuff.

Vastness, Species, Universe

The nuclear arms race is like two sworn enemies standing waist deep in gasoline, one with three matches, the other with five.

Two, Race, Enemy

Humans — who enslave, castrate, experiment on, and fillet other animals — have had an understandable penchant for pretending animals do not feel pain. A sharp distinction between humans and 'animals' is essential if we are to bend them to our will, make them work for us, wear them, eat them — without any disquieting tinges of guilt or regret. It is unseemly of us, who often behave so unfeelingly toward other animals, to contend that only humans can suffer. The behavior of other animals renders such pretensions specious. They are just too much like us.

Pain, Regret, Compassion

"Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors". Book by Ann Druyan and Carl Sagan, 1992.

For me, the most ironic token of [the first human moon landing] is the plaque signed by President Richard M. Nixon that Apollo 11 took to the moon. It reads, ‘We came in peace for all Mankind.’ As the United States was dropping seven and a half megatons of conventional explosives on small nations in Southeast Asia, we congratulated ourselves on our humanity. We would harm no one on a lifeless rock.

Moon, Rocks, Humanity

War is murder writ large.

War, Murder

"Cosmos: A Personal Voyage". Book by Carl Sagan, p. 326, 1980.

National boundaries are not evident when we view the Earth from space. Fanatical ethnic or religious or national chauvinisms are a little difficult to maintain when we see our planet as a fragile blue crescent fading to become an inconspicuous point of light against the bastion and citadel of the stars.

Religious, Stars, Science

"Cosmos". p. 318. Book by Carl Sagan, 1980.

The values of science and the values of democracy are concordant, in many cases indistinguishable. Science and democracy began - in their civilized incarnations - in the same time and place, Greece in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. . . . Science thrives on, indeed requires, the free exchange of ideas; its values are antithetical to secrecy. Science holds to no special vantage points or privileged positions. Both science and democracy encourage unconventional opinions and vigorous debate. Both demand adequate reason, coherent argument, rigorous standards of evidence and honesty.

Honesty, Ideas, Democracy

[Science] is not perfect. It can be misused. It is only a tool. But it is by far the best tool we have, self-correcting, ongoing, applicable to everything. It has two rules. First: there are no sacred truths; all assumptions must be critically examined; arguments from authority are worthless. Second: whatever is inconsistent with the facts must be discarded or revised. ... The obvious is sometimes false; the unexpected is sometimes true.

Science, Self, Two

Carl Sagan (2011). “Cosmos”, p.362, Ballantine Books

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