Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Proposed an early theory of evolution based on the inheritance of acquired characteristics, though later superseded by Darwin's theory.
Most quoted
"It is not the organs, that is to say, the nature and form of the parts of the body of an animal, which have given rise to its habits and its particular faculties. It is, on the contrary, its habits, its manner of life, and the circumstances in which its ancestors have found themselves, which have, in the course of time, really constituted the form of its body, the number and state of its organs, and, in short, the faculties which it possesses."
— from Philosophie Zoologique, 1809
"Second Law: All the acquisitions or losses wrought by nature on individuals, through the influence of the environment in which their race has long been placed, and hence through the influence of the predominant use or permanent disuse of any organ; all these are preserved by reproduction to the new individuals which arise, provided that the acquired modifications are common to both sexes, or at least to the individuals which produce the young."
— from Philosophie Zoologique, 1809
"It is not the organs, that is to say, the nature and form of the parts of the body, that have given rise to their habits and particular faculties, but it is, on the contrary, their habits, their manner of life, and the circumstances in which the individuals of which the race is formed have found themselves, that have with time constituted the form of the body, the number and state of their organs, and finally the faculties which they possess."
— from Philosophie Zoologique, 1809
All quotes by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (412)
The perfect adaptation of organisms to their environment is a marvel of nature.
The continuous transformation of species is the very essence of life.
The human mind, though complex, is still a part of the natural world.
To understand life, one must understand its history and its continuous development.
The laws of nature are universal and apply to all living beings.
The pursuit of knowledge is the noblest endeavor of the human spirit.
The true beauty of nature lies in its intricate mechanisms and its profound simplicity.
The human being is an integral part of the great chain of being.
The meaning of our existence is to contribute to the grand unfolding of life.
Spirituality is the recognition of the interconnectedness of all living things.
The ultimate truth is that everything is in a state of flux and transformation.
The grandeur of nature is beyond human comprehension, yet we strive to understand it.
Our consciousness is a reflection of the complex organization of our nervous system.
The purpose of life is to live, to adapt, and to perpetuate the species.
The cycle of life and death is a fundamental rhythm of the universe.
The human spirit finds its meaning in its continuous striving for improvement.
The beauty of a living organism lies in its perfect harmony with its environment.
The search for truth is an endless journey, but a rewarding one.
Life is a continuous process of adaptation and modification.
The essence of being is to be in constant interaction with the world.
Contemporaries of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Other Biologys born within 50 years of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744–1829).