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Carl Sagan

(9 Nov 1934 - 20 Dec 1996)

American astronomer, exobiologist and writer remembered for popularizing astronomy and science, especially with his public television series Cosmos. Its accompanying book spent seventy weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. He was an adviser to NASA for the Mariner, Voyager, and Viking unmanned space missions.

Short biography of Carl Sagan >>

In a lot of scientists, the ratio of wonder to skepticism declines in time. That may be connected with the fact that in some fields—mathematics, physics, some others—the great discoveries are almost entirely made by youngsters.

— Carl Sagan

Quoted in interview with magazine staff, Psychology Today (Jan 1996).

It is the tension between creativity and skepticism that has produced the stunning and unexpected findings of science.

— Carl Sagan

In Broca’s Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science (1974, 1986), 73.

Science requires an almost complete openness to all ideas. On the other hand, it requires the most rigorous and uncompromising skepticism.

— Carl Sagan

In article, 'Wonder and Skepticism', Skeptical Inquirer (Jan/Feb 1995), 19, No. 1.

Skepticism enables us to distinguish fancy from fact, to test our speculations.

— Carl Sagan

In Cosmos (1980), 4.

Some ideas are better than others. The machinery for distinguishing them is an essential tool in dealing with the world and especially in dealing with the future. And it is precisely the mix of these two modes of thought [skeptical scrutiny and openness to new ideas] that is central to the success of science.

— Carl Sagan

In 'The Burden of Skepticism', Skeptical Inquirer (Fall 1987), 12, No. 1.

The method of science is tried and true. It is not perfect, it’s just the best we have. And to abandon it, with its skeptical protocols, is the pathway to a dark age.

— Carl Sagan

From a sound clip from CSICOP, now CSI (Committee for Skeptical Inquiry). If you know a more specific citation, please contact Webmaster.

Too much openness and you accept every notion, idea, and hypothesis—which is tantamount to knowing nothing. Too much skepticism—especially rejection of new ideas before they are adequately tested—and you're not only unpleasantly grumpy, but also closed to the advance of science. A judicious mix is what we need.

— Carl Sagan

In 'Wonder and Skepticism', Skeptical Enquirer (Jan-Feb 1995), 19, No. 1.

Carl Sagan quote Advances in medicine and agriculture

click for more about this quote and a larger picture • 500px • 800px

A bean farmer checks her crop in Congo. Photo by Neil Palmer (CIAT). CC2.0 (source)

Carl Sagan quote: [Science] is not perfect. It can be misused. It is only a tool. But it is by far the best tool we have, self-c

(source)

Carl Sagan quote: If the greenhouse effect is a blanket in which we wrap ourselves to keep warm, nuclear winter kicks the blanke

(source)

See also:

9 Nov - short biography, births, deaths and events on date of Sagan's birth.
Carl Sagan - context of quote “Advances in medicine and agriculture” - Medium image (500 x 250 px)
Carl Sagan - context of quote “Advances in medicine and agriculture” - Large image (800 x 400 px)
Carl Sagan - context of quote A Subject Called Chemistry - Medium image (500 x 350 px)
Carl Sagan - context of quote A Subject Called Chemistry - Large image (800 x 600 px)
Carl Sagan: A Life in the Cosmos, by William Poundstone. - book suggestion.
Booklist for Carl Sagan.

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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