Quote by Stephen Jay Gould

Organisms are not billiard balls, propelled by simple and measurable external forces to predictable new positions on life's pool table. Sufficiently complex systems have greater richness. Organisms have a history that constrains their future in myriad, subtle ways.

Organisms are not billiard balls, propelled by simple and me

Summary

This quote emphasizes the idea that organisms cannot be compared to billiard balls, as they are not solely influenced by external forces and their movements cannot be easily predicted. Instead, organisms are complex systems with a rich history that shapes their future in countless intricate ways. The quote suggests that the behavior and development of organisms are influenced by a combination of internal factors and external interactions, making their trajectory and outcomes more intricate and less deterministic.

Topics

Life History Force System

By Stephen Jay Gould

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