“Blake expressed some doubt as to whether God had made the tiger. But the tiger is in many ways an admirable animal. We have now to ask whether God made the tapeworm. And it is questionable whether an affirmative answer fits in either with what we know about the process of evolution or what many of us believe about the moral perfection of God.” IfsKnowsWayBelieveMadeAsksProcessAnswersAnimalMoralDoubtEvolutionFitPerfectionTigersAdmirableAffirmativeQuestionableBlakeMoral Perfection Author:John B. S. Haldane
“We do not know, in most cases, how far social failure and success are due to heredity, and how far to environment. But environment is the easier of the two to improve.” KnowsTwoSuccessSocialNatureCasesSuccessfulEnvironmentEasierDuesClassroomCongratulationsSuccess And FailureHeredityHeredity And Environment Author:John B. S. Haldane
“The advance of scientific knowledge does not seem to make either our universe or our inner life in it any less mysterious.” KnowsDoeSeemsScienceUniverseKnowledgeMysteryMysteriousInner LifeScientific Knowledge Author:John B. S. Haldane
“If materialism is true, it seems to me that we cannot know that it is true. If my opinions are the result of the chemical processes going on in my brain, they are determined by the laws of chemistry, not those of logic.” IfsKnowsSeemsLawScienceProcessResultsBrainOpinionLogicDeterminedMaterialismChemistryChemicals Author:John B. S. Haldane
“I have come to the conclusion that my subjective account of my motivation is largely mythical on almost all occasions. I don't know why I do things.” KnowsMotivationAccountsConclusionOccasionsSubjectiveAll Occasions Author:John B. S. Haldane
“My final word, before I'm done, Is "Cancer can be rather fun"- Provided one confronts the tumour with a sufficient sense of humour. I know that cancer often kills, But so do cars and sleeping pills; And it can hurt till one sweats, So can bad teeth and unpaid debts. A spot of laughter, I am sure, Often accelerates one's cure; So let us patients do our bit To help the surgeons make us fit.” KnowsDoneHelpingScienceFunBitsHurtSleepCarHumourFitLaughterPatientFinalsCancerDebtTeethCuresSpotsSufficientSweatPillsSurgeonsAccelerateFinal WordsSleeping Pills Author:John B. S. Haldane
“A discussion between Haldane and a friend began to take a predictable turn. The friend said with a sigh, 'It's no use going on. I know what you will say next, and I know what you will do next.' The distinguished scientist promptly sat down on the floor, turned two back somersaults, and returned to his seat. 'There,' he said with a smile. 'That's to prove that you're not always right.'” KnowsSaidTwoUseScienceTurnsNextProveScientistDiscussionSatSeatsSighDistinguishedPredictable Author:John B. S. Haldane
