I am puzzled that Conway Morris apparently doesn't grasp the equally strong (and inevitable) personal preferences embedded in his own view of life.

I am driven to observe of the ultra-Darwinists the following features as symptomatic. First, to my eyes, is their almost unbelievable self-assurance, their breezy self-confidence.

If one compares the sequence of amino acids that go to form the protein haemoglobin, it becomes apparent that humans and chimps are identical and do not differ in a single site.

The way Conway Morris goes about biting the hand that once fed him would make a shoal of piranha seem decorous.

By obtaining a sense of its place in the unfolding drama of life, set in an ecological theatre, so we can understand why it has become one of the leading players.

It is difficult to imagine evolution in alien planets operating in any manner other than Darwinian.

When discussing organic evolution the only point of agreement seems to be: ‘It happened.’ Thereafter, there is little consensus, which at first sight must seem rather odd.

It is my opinion that human history can make no sense unless evil doings are recognized for what they are, and that they are bearable only if somehow they may be redeemed.

Scientists don't believe anything.Scientists test things.

Richard Dawkins is arguably England's most pious atheist.

I would argue that in any habitable zone that doesn't boil or freeze, intelligent life is going to emerge because intelligence is convergent.

A dream is a seed.Vision plants it.Imagination nurtures growth.Opportunities create blooms.Thoughts become things!

Mistakes are stepping stones for great achievement.

The bible is an instruction book you don't want to skip reading.

Gratitude for every day along the way is the key to acknowledging and enjoying happiness now. Not when the results come in or when you retire, or when this or that happens.

The ground had opened up and spit out hell, Nell thought, and the detritus was Shiloh.

Life is likephotography we develop from the negatives

Learning sleeps and snores in libraries, but wisdom is everywhere, wide awake, on tiptoe.

I bought a lot of rubbish things that kids buy: skateboards and clothes and typical teenage stuff. And, as soon as I could, I wasted a lot of money on cars - BMW's mostly - for myself and my family.

My head aches every time Donald Trump successfully dodges a question with this reoccurring tactic. What's his worst offense? I don't know. How long is this article?

I'm not Candide, nor Dr Pangloss, but we know that faith moves mountains.