“It will be necessary to dwell on futile reasoning and visionary hypothesis because the most extravagant systems were often invented or controverted by men of acknowledged talent.”

—  Charles Lyell , book Principles of Geology

Chpt.3, p. 34
Principles of Geology (1832), Vol. 1
Context: It may be well to forewarn our readers that in tracing the history of geology from the close of the seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century they must expect to be occupied with accounts of the retardation as well as of the advance of the science.... It will be necessary to dwell on futile reasoning and visionary hypothesis because the most extravagant systems were often invented or controverted by men of acknowledged talent.

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Charles Lyell 103
British lawyer and geologist 1797–1875

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