12 Quotes & Sayings By Jbs Haldane

Sir J.B.S. Haldane, FRS was an English geneticist known for his work on genetics, biometrics and statistical genetics. His popular writings included the essay "On Being the Right Size" and produced a number of popular science books. He developed the first mathematical model to explain evolution as a consequence of the mutation, gene exchange and natural selection processes.

1
Now, my own suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. I have read and heard many attempts at a systematic account of it, from materialism and theosophy to the Christian system or that of Kant, and I have always felt that they were much too simple. I suspect that there are more things in heaven and earth that are dreamed of, or can be dreamed of, in any philosophy. That is the reason why I have no philosophy myself, and must be my excuse for dreaming. . J.B.S. Haldane
2
I have no doubt that in reality the future will be vastly more surprising than anything I can imagine. Now my own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. J.B.S. Haldane
The Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but...
3
The Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. J.B.S. Haldane
The four stages of acceptance:1. This is worthless nonsense.2. This...
4
The four stages of acceptance:1. This is worthless nonsense.2. This is an interesting, but perverse, point of view.3. This is true, but quite unimportant.4. I always sai J.B.S. Haldane
I am quite sure that our views on evolution would...
5
I am quite sure that our views on evolution would be very different had biologists studied genetics and natural selection before and not after most of them were convinced that evolution had occurred. J.B.S. Haldane
Man armed with science is like a baby with a...
6
Man armed with science is like a baby with a box of matches. J.B.S. Haldane
7
I suppose the process of acceptance will pass through the usual four stages: i) this is worthless nonsense; ii) this is an interesting, but perverse, point of view; iii) this is true, but quite unimportant; iv) I always said so. J.B.S. Haldane
8
My practice as a scientist is atheistic. That is to say, when I set up an experiment I assume that no god, angel or devil is going to interfere with its course; and this assumption has been justified by such success as I have achieved in my professional career. I should therefore be intellectually dishonest if I were not also atheistic in the affairs of the world. J.B.S. Haldane
9
An attempt to study the evolution of living organisms without reference to cytology would be as futile as an account of stellar evolution which ignored spectroscopy. J.B.S. Haldane
10
Science affects the average man and woman in two ways already. He or she benefits by its application driving a motor-car or omnibus instead of a horse-drawn vehicle, and being treated for disease by a doctor or surgeon rather than a witch. J.B.S. Haldane
11
If one could conclude as to the nature of the Creator from a study of creation it would appear that God has an inordinate fondness for stars and beetles. J.B.S. Haldane