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Proposed an early theory of evolution based on the inheritance of acquired characteristics, though later superseded by Darwin's theory.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 study of living beings is the most interesting of all studies.
Nature is a vast and inexhaustible book, which we can never finish reading.
The progress of science depends on the accumulation of facts and observations.
The more we study nature, the more we realize how little we know.
The goal of science is to discover the laws that govern the universe.
The human mind is capable of understanding the most complex phenomena of nature.
The study of nature is a source of endless pleasure and wonder.
I have devoted my life to the study of nature, and I do not regret it.
The most important thing in science is to be open to new ideas.
Error is often a step towards truth.
The more we know, the more we realize how much there is to know.
Nature is a constant source of inspiration.
The study of nature is a noble pursuit.
I have always sought to understand the mechanisms of life.
The diversity of life is astonishing.
Every living being has its place in nature.
The chain of being is a beautiful concept.
The more complex an organism, the more perfect its organization.
The study of nature is a lifelong journey.
I have always been driven by a passion for knowledge.
Contemporaries of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Other Biologys born within 50 years of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744–1829).