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Michael Shermer

Michael Shermer Quotes

Writer

Michael Shermer is an American writer, historian, and science writer. Born on September 8, 1954, he is known for his research on science, pseudoscience, and rational behavior. Shermer is a contributing writer for 'Scientific American' magazine and the founder and publisher of 'Skeptic' magazine. His writings cover a wide range of topics from history to scientific philosophy.

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Famous Michael Shermer Quotes

“...there ... remains a huge following [of Ayn Rand's philosophy] of those who ignore the indiscretions, infidelities, and moral inconsistencies of the founder and focus instead on the positive aspects of her philosophy. There is much in it to admire, if you do not have to accept the whole package... Criticism of the founder or followers of a philosophy does not, by itself, constitute a negation of any part of the philosophy... Criticism of part of a philosophy does not gainsay the whole.”

Ifs Thinking Doe Philosophy Whole Accepting Moral Focus Huge Aspect Criticism Remains Following Admire Followers Founders Infidelity Packages Inconsistency Negation

Author:Michael Shermer

“To be a fully functioning moral agent, one cannot passively accept moral principles handed down by fiat. Moral principles require moral reasoning.”

Accepting Moral Principles Agents Reasoning Moral Principles Moral Reasoning

Book:The Science of Good and Evil: Why People Cheat, Gossip, Care, Share, and Follow the Golden Rule

Source: The Science of Good and Evil: Why People Cheat, Gossip, Care, Share, and Follow the Golden Rule

“Providentially, learned habits can be unlearned, especially in the context of moral groups.”

Moral Groups Habit

Author:Michael Shermer

“We do not just blindly concede control to authorities; instead we follow the cues provided by our moral communities on how best to behave.”

Community Moral Authority Behave

Author:Michael Shermer

“Accepting evolution does not force us to jettison our morals and ethics, and rejecting evolution does not ensure their constancy.”

Doe Force Accepting Moral Evolution Ethics Rejecting Constancy

Book:Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design

Source: Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design

“People believe in God because we are pattern-seeking, storytelling, mythmaking, religious, moral animals.”

People Believe Religious Animal Moral Atheist Patterns Seeking Storytelling Believe In God

Book:The Science of Good and Evil: Why People Cheat, Gossip, Care, Share, and Follow the Golden Rule

Source: The Science of Good and Evil: Why People Cheat, Gossip, Care, Share, and Follow the Golden Rule

“Rationality tied to moral decency is the most powerful joint instrument for good that our planet has ever known.”

Powerful Known Moral Planets Instruments Most Powerful Mortality Tied Rationality Decency Joints Our Planet

Book:Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time

Source: Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time