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===APHORISM ===

An aphorism is a concise expression or statement of observation or doctrine that is generally accepted as a truth. It is used to convey certain truths about life, politics, society, any other subject matter. The word aphorism comes from the Greek word, "aphorizein," which means "to mark off by boundaries," apo meaning from and horos meaning limit. The first aphorism was used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates, a collection of notable phrases such as, “Life is short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult. Neither is it sufficient that the physician be ready to act what is necessary to be done by him, but the sick, and the attendants and all outward necessaries must be lightly prepared and fitted for the business.” By using statements of truths in literature, authors can develop a unique connection to the audience by portraying knowledge of accepted ideas and philosophies about life and its observed truths. The connection between a reader and the author's aphorism is essential in the process of understanding what the author is trying to convey. The purpose of using aphorisms is to further support an argument by supplying the reader with accepted truths.

ETYMOLOGY:French aphorisme, from Old French, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos, from aphorizein, to delimit, define : apo-, apo- + horizein, to delimit, define;


 * When to use aphorisms: to enhance literature by expressing general truths in a sophisticated manner through statements that convey widely accepted ideas and philosophies about life
 * How to use aphorisms: incorporate opinions and truths to create a statement that reflects observations

A brief summary will be sufficient to recall to the reader's mind the more salient points in this work. Many of the views which have been advanced are highly speculative, and some no doubt will prove erroneous; but I have in every case given the reasons which have led me to one view rather than to another. It seemed worth while to try how far the principle of evolution would throw light on some of the more complex problems in the natural history of man. False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views, if supported by some evidence, do little harm, for every one takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness: and when this is done, one path towards error is closed and the road to truth is often at the same time opened. The main conclusion here arrived at, and now held by many naturalists who are well competent to form a sound judgment is that man is descended from some less highly organized form. The grounds upon which this conclusion rests will never be shaken, for the close similarity between man and the lower animals in embryonic development, as well as in innumerable points of structure and constitution, both of high and of the most trifling importance,- the rudiments which he retains, and the abnormal reversions to which he is occasionally liable,- are facts which cannot be disputed. They have long been known, but until recently they told us nothing with respect to the origin of man. Now when viewed by the light of our knowledge of the whole organic world, their meaning is unmistakable. The great principle of evolution stands up clear and firm, when these groups or facts are considered in connection with others, such as the mutual affinities of the members of the same group, their geographical distribution in past and present times, and their geological succession. It is incredible that all these facts should speak falsely. He who is not content to look, like a savage, at the phenomena of nature as disconnected, cannot any longer believe that man is the work of a separate act of creation. He will be forced to admit that the close resemblance of the embryo of man to that, for instance, of a dog- the construction of his skull, limbs and whole frame on the same plan with that of other mammals, independently of the uses to which the parts may be put- the occasional re-appearance of various structures, for instance of several muscles, which man does not normally possess, but which are common to the Quadrumana- and a crowd of analogous facts- all point in the plainest manner to the conclusion that man is the co-descendant with other mammals of a common progenitor.

 Charles Darwin was a 19th scientist who revealed his revolutionary ideas about evolution and how the species inhabiting earth came to be in his essay //Origin of the Species//. In his work Darwin stated, “False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views, if supported by some evidence, do little harm, for every one takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness: and when this is done, one path towards error is closed and the road to truth is often at the same time opened.” He understood that when people believed that an idea was absolutely correct, they did not explore the concept further and scientific research did not progress. He recognized the truth about human nature that by merely proposing a theory, whether correct or incorrect, people are motivated to disprove it. This quirk of human nature that drives curiosity and the desire to prove someone else’s ideas inaccurate actually furthered scientific research as people were inspired to discover the answer to suggested theories. Darwin’s aphorism also encompassed the idea that even though one theory would be disproved, the truth would actually be revealed because new opportunities for additional discovery would arise. His statement is considered an aphorism because humans are curious by nature. The truth he expressed justifies his acceptance of his idea of evolution as theory instead of fact because he realized others would be inspired to prove him wrong. In their quest to disprove Darwin’s theory, others would ultimately make more discoveries that would expand the knowledge of the human race.

KHaycraft. SLamb. NTasbihchi.

"Aphorism." 2 Feb. 2009. Britannnica. .

"Chapter 21: "General Summary and Conclusion"" __Zoologisk institutt__. 04 Feb. 2009 http://www.zoo.uib.no/classics/darwin/descent.chap21.txt.

//Origin of the Species// by Charles Darwin