“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 

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
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 , 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

Works by this artist (18 items)

View all artworks
Ernest W. Watson, Homeward Bound (Block 3), n.d., color linoleum cut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.201
Homeward Bound (Block 3)
Artist
Daten.d.
color linoleum cut on paper
Not on view
Ernest W. Watson, The Plowman, n.d., color linoleum cut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.206
The Plowman
Artist
Daten.d.
color linoleum cut on paper
Not on view
Ernest W. Watson, The Big Wheel, 1924 or 1925, color linoleum cut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.204
The Big Wheel
Artist
Date1924 or 1925
color linoleum cut on paper
Not on view
Ernest W. Watson, Homeward Bound (Block 5), n.d., color linoleum cut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.203
Homeward Bound (Block 5)
Artist
Daten.d.
color linoleum cut on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Artist
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Artist
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Artist
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Image Not Available
Les Quais de la Seine a Paris
Artist
Date1917
hand-colored etching on postcard
Not on view