Ernst Walter Mayr (5 July 1904 – 3 February 2005) was one of the 20th century's leading evolutionary biologists.
He was also a renowned taxonomist, tropical explorer,...
Paleontologists had long been aware of a seeming contradiction between Darwin's postulate of gradualism, confirmed by the work of population genetics, and the actual findings of paleontology. Ernst Mayr
Paleontologists had long been aware of a seeming contradiction between Darwin's postulate of gradualism, confirmed by the work of population genetics, and the actual findings of paleontology.
Scientific progress consists in the development of new concepts. Ernst Mayr
Scientific progress consists in the development of new concepts.
Evolution as such is no longer a theory for a modern author. It is as much a fact as that the earth revolves around the sun. Ernst Mayr
Evolution as such is no longer a theory for a modern author. It is as much a fact as that the earth revolves around the sun.
In neither his definition nor the examples illustrating what memes are does Dawkins mention anything that would distinguish memes from concepts. Ernst Mayr
In neither his definition nor the examples illustrating what memes are does Dawkins mention anything that would distinguish memes from concepts.
To take an unequivocal stand, it seems to me, is of greater heuristic value and far more likely to stimulate constructive criticism than to evade the issue. Ernst Mayr
To take an unequivocal stand, it seems to me, is of greater heuristic value and far more likely to stimulate constructive criticism than to evade the issue.
There is more to biology than rats, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis, and E. coli. Ernst Mayr
There is more to biology than rats, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis, and E. coli.
It is curious how often erroneous theories have had a beneficial effect for particular branches of science. Ernst Mayr
It is curious how often erroneous theories have had a beneficial effect for particular branches of science.
Isolating mechanisms are biological properties of individuals that prevent the interbreeding of populations that are actually or potentially sympatric. Ernst Mayr
Isolating mechanisms are biological properties of individuals that prevent the interbreeding of populations that are actually or potentially sympatric.
Definitions are temporary verbalizations of concepts, and concepts- particularly difficult concepts- are usually revised repeatedly as our knowledge and understanding grows. Ernst Mayr
Definitions are temporary verbalizations of concepts, and concepts- particularly difficult concepts- are usually revised repeatedly as our knowledge and understanding grows.
New species usually appear in the fossil record suddenly, not connected with their ancestors by a series of intermediates. Ernst Mayr
New species usually appear in the fossil record suddenly, not connected with their ancestors by a series of intermediates.
Wherever we look at the living biota … discontinuities are overwhelmingly frequent…The discontinuities are even more striking in the fossil record. Ernst Mayr
Wherever we look at the living biota … discontinuities are overwhelmingly frequent…The discontinuities are even more striking in the fossil record.
The most consequential change in man's view of the world, of living nature and of himself came with the introduction, over a period of some 100 years beginning only in the 18th century, of the idea of change itself. Ernst Mayr
The most consequential change in man's view of the world, of living nature and of himself came with the introduction, over a period of some 100 years beginning only in the 18th century, of the idea of change itself.
