Tools may be animate as well as inanimate; for instance, a…
“Tools may be animate as well as inanimate; for instance, a ship's captain uses a lifeless rudder, but a living man for watch; for a servant is, from the point of view of his craft, categorized as one of its tools. So any piece of property can be regarded as a tool enabling a man to live, and his property is an assemblage of such tools; a slave is a sort of living piece of property; and like any other servant is a tool in charge of other tools.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Tools, whether animate or inanimate, extend human capability; even people can be seen as tools serving broader purposes.
In simple terms: People and objects both serve as tools to achieve goals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how resources, including relationships, aid your purpose.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
instrumentalism
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- workplace
- education
- technology
- social structures
Key Concepts
utility
agency
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways do we rely on others as tools?
- How can we respect agency while recognizing utility?
A Different Perspective
Viewing people as tools can dehumanize and ignore intrinsic worth.