My fundamental premise about the brain is that its workings—what we sometimes call "mind"—are a consequence of its anatomy and physiology, and nothing more.

—Carl Sagan in The Dragons of Eden

mind brain anatomy phsiology

About Carl Sagan

Portrait of Carl Sagan

Carl Edward Sagan (; SAY-gən; November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996) was an American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator. Initially an assistant professor at Harvard, Sagan later moved to Cornell, where he was the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and directed the Laboratory for Planetary...

More quotations from Carl Sagan

For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.

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, wear them, eat them—without any disquieting tinges of guilt or regret.

regret pain guilt animals humans

Where we have strong emotions, we're liable to fool ourselves.

The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition.

It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English—up to fifty words used in correct context—no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese.

learning communication animals English interest dolphins

More quotations tagged with “anatomy”

Nearly one-half of all Americans are torsos.

—Demetri Martin

humor USA statistics bodies anatomy

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.

—Abraham Lincoln

truth dog anatomy tail leg

Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?

wonder language feet anatomy names

History

18 Nov 2022 Added