Everything in nature is the result of fixed laws.
Charles DarwinRead
How so many absurd rules of conduct, as well as so many absurd religious beliefs, have originated, we do not know; nor how it is that they have become, in all quarters of the world, so deeply impressed on the minds of men; but it is worthy of remark that a belief constantly inculcated during the early years of life, while the brain is impressionable, appears to acquire almost the nature of an instinct; and the very essence of an instinct is that it is followed independently of reason.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that early beliefs shape our instincts and are often accepted without reason.
Charles Darwin reflects on how certain beliefs and conduct rules become ingrained in society, especially during a person's formative years. He emphasizes that these ingrained beliefs can influence behavior instinctively, bypassing rational thought. This highlights the power of early education and cultural indoctrination in molding human behavior and thought processes.
Themes
BeliefsInstinctEducationBehaviorEarly Years
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on childhood education, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of teaching critical thinking skills from a young age.
More from Charles Darwin
All quotes →The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
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I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science....It is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many flaw[s] & holes as sound parts.
Charles DarwinRead
We cannot fathom the marvelous complexity of an organic being; but on the hypothesis here advanced this complexity is much increased. Each living creature must be looked at as a microcosm--a little universe, formed of a host of self-propagating organisms, inconceivably minute and as numerous as the stars in heaven.
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I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection.
Charles DarwinRead
we are always slow in admitting any great change of which we do not see the intermediate steps
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