But, after men began to form general ideas, to think out…
““But, after men began to form general ideas, to think out types of houses, buildings, towers, &c., and to prefer certain types to others, it came about, that each man called perfect that which he saw agree with the general idea he had formed of the thing in question, and called imperfect that which he saw agree less with his own preconceived type, even though it had evidently been completed in accordance with the idea of its artificer. This seems to be the only reason for calling natural phenomena, which, indeed, are not made with human hands, perfect or imperfect: for men are wont to form general ideas of things natural, no less than of things artificial, and such ideas they hold as types, believing that Nature (who they think does nothing without an object) has them in view, and has set them as types before herself. Therefore, when they behold something in Nature, which does not wholly conform to the preconceived type which they have formed of the thing in question, they say that Nature has fallen short or has blundered, and has left her work incomplete.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Humans judge natural and artificial things by personal concepts, labeling them perfect or imperfect based on how they match these mental templates.
In simple terms: People judge things by their own ideas of how they should be.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal bias when evaluating.
Themes
philosophy
perception
human nature
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- architectural design
- environmental assessment
- science communication
Key Concepts
subjectivity
ideal forms
anthropocentrism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your expectations shape your judgments?
- Can you separate personal ideals from factual evaluation?
A Different Perspective
Bias may ignore objective criteria and limit understanding.