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Home > Dictionary of Science Quotations > Scientist Names Index P > John Phillips Quotes

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John Phillips
(25 Dec 1800 - 24 Apr 1874)

English geologist who was the pioneer of Yorkshire geology. He proposed that past life on Earth in three broad periods: the Palaeozoic, the Mesozoic and the Cainozoic.


Science Quotes by John Phillips (1 quote)

Life through many long periods has been manifested in a countless host of varying structures, all circumscribed by one general plan, each appointed to a definite place, and limited to an appointed duration. On the whole the earth has been thus more and more covered by the associated life of plants and animals, filling all habitable space with beings capable of enjoying their own existence or ministering to the enjoyment of others; till finally, after long preparation, a being was created capable of the wonderful power of measuring and weighing all the world of matter and space which surrounds him, of treasuring up the past history of all the forms of life, and considering his own relation to the whole. When he surveys this vast and co-ordinated system, and inquires into its history and origin, can he be at a loss to decide whether it be a work of Divine thought and wisdom, or the fortunate offspring of a few atoms of matter, warmed by the anima mundi, a spark of electricity, or an accidental ray of sunshine?
— John Phillips
Life on the Earth: Its Origin and Succession (1860), 216-7.
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Quotes by others about John Phillips (1)

My father’s collection of fossils was practically unnamed, but the appearance of Phillips’ book [Geology of the Yorkshire Coast], in which most of our specimens were figured, enabled us to remedy this defect. Every evening was devoted by us to accomplishing the work. This was my first introduction to true scientific study. … Phillips’ accurate volume initiated an entirely new order of things. Many a time did I mourn over the publication of this book, and the consequences immediately resulting from it. Instead of indulging in the games and idleness to which most lads are prone, my evenings throughout a long winter were devoted to the detested labour of naming these miserable stones. Such is the short-sightedness of boyhood. Pursuing this uncongenial work gave me in my thirteenth year a thorough practical familiarity with the palaeontological treasures of Eastern Yorkshire. This early acquisition happily moulded the entire course of my future life.
In Reminiscences of a Yorkshire naturalist (1896), 12.
Science quotes on:  |  Accomplishment (102)  |  Accurate (88)  |  Acquisition (46)  |  Appearance (145)  |  Autobiography (58)  |  Book (413)  |  Boyhood (4)  |  Coast (13)  |  Collection (68)  |  Consequence (220)  |  Course (413)  |  Defect (31)  |  Detest (5)  |  Devote (45)  |  Devoted (59)  |  Early (196)  |  Evening (12)  |  Familiarity (21)  |  Father (113)  |  First (1302)  |  Fossil (143)  |  Future (467)  |  Game (104)  |  Geology (240)  |  Idleness (15)  |  Immediately (115)  |  Indulge (15)  |  Introduction (37)  |  Labor (200)  |  Life (1870)  |  Long (778)  |  Miserable (8)  |  Mold (37)  |  Most (1728)  |  Mourn (3)  |  New (1273)  |  Order (638)  |  Paleontology (32)  |  Practical (225)  |  Publication (102)  |  Pursuing (27)  |  Remedy (63)  |  Result (700)  |  Scientific (955)  |  Short (200)  |  Specimen (32)  |  Stone (168)  |  Study (701)  |  Thing (1914)  |  Thorough (40)  |  Throughout (98)  |  Time (1911)  |  Treasure (59)  |  True (239)  |  Uncongenial (2)  |  Winter (46)  |  Work (1402)  |  Year (963)  |  Yorkshire (2)


See also:
  • 25 Dec - short biography, births, deaths and events on date of Phillips's birth.

Carl Sagan Thumbnail In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (1987) -- Carl Sagan
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