Quotation from Darwin (Evolution)

by Matt , Monday, March 24, 2008, 20:15 (6088 days ago) @ George Jelliss

In this section you quote the famous closing passage from "Origin of Species" and claim:
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> "Dawkins also quotes this magnificent conclusion (p. 12), but he omits the words "by the Creator". There are no dots to indicate an omission. Dawkins simply pretends that Darwin never wrote them."
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> In fact Prof. Dawkins is quoting correctly from the first edition (as cited in his bibliography). You are quoting from a later edition. You should say which one. There were, I think six editions published in Darwin's life-time, and it is well known that he changed the wording from time to time. - This is true. However, when quoting a work from any other source, I don't usually go to the first edition, first press. Corrections are made for a purpose. Grammar, annotations, and continuity. When quoting the passage from Darwin, Modern scientists are obligated to quote Darwin factually, and that would be to quote his most recent work. We don't know why Darwin changed this passage, but it would seem to me that he was discovering more information that was leading him to believe in an intelligent first cause. - When people are getting ready to leave the planet, they don't usually save the most useless information to spout off on their death bed. They say what's important. I think scientists should evaluate the reasons why they feel the need to quote the first edition. It's sort of like a preacher that uses a certain translation of the bible that fits his doctrine the best. That Dawkins would even attempt this kind of subversive trick, to me, is a clear insight into his motives. Those being, to make a name for himself, and to accrue a following. - It's not as though some religious nut came along and added it later, like some other books we know.