“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 everyone 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.” – Charles Darwin on false facts vs. false views, The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 1871. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

Hans Moller, "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 everyone 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."--Charles Darwin on false facts vs. false views, The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 1871. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1954, gouache on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.217
Copied Hans Moller, "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 everyone 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."--Charles Darwin on false facts vs. false views, The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 1871. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1954, gouache on paperboard, sheet: 14 7⁄8 x 10 1⁄8 in. (37.8 x 25.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.217

Artwork Details

Title
“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 everyone 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.” – Charles Darwin on false facts vs. false views, The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 1871. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1954
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 14 7⁄8 x 10 1⁄8 in. (37.8 x 25.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
gouache on paperboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1984.124.217
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.217