Jacob BronowskiWe are nature's unique experiment to make the rational intelligence prove itself sounder than the reflex. Knowledge is our destiny
About This Quote
In a lecture about the relationship between man and animals, Charles Darwin gave a wonderful warning: “We are nature's unique experiment to make the rational intelligence prove itself sounder than the reflex. Knowledge is our destiny.” It is easy to see that knowledge is something that we should always strive for. But, as noted by Darwin, it can be a struggle as well. Sometimes it seems as if people only want to know what they already know or have been told.
In those moments of passivity, we may feel as though we have nothing worth knowing or learning from. But, as Darwin points out, it is far better to struggle for knowledge than to passively accept our ignorance. The only way we will ever improve as a species is by working toward a better understanding of ourselves and our world.
Source: The Ascent Of Man
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