To this day, we see all around us the Promethean drive to…
“To this day, we see all around us the Promethean drive to omnipotence through technology and to omniscience through science. The effecting of all things possible and the knowledge of all causes are the respective primary imperatives of technology and of science. But the motivating imperative of society continues to be the very different one of its physical and spiritual survival. It is now far less obvious than it was in Francis Bacon's world how to bring the three imperatives into harmony, and how to bring all three together to bear on problems where they superpose.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Technology seeks power and knowledge, while society must prioritize survival; aligning these goals is complex.
In simple terms: Tech aims for control, society for survival.
Key Takeaway
Balance innovation with human well‑being.
Themes
technology
society
survival
ethics
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
philosophical
strategic
When to use this quote
- policy making
- research funding
- education
- environmental planning
Key Concepts
progress
humanism
sustainability
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies ensure tech serves humanity?
- How to integrate spiritual values in science?
A Different Perspective
Technological ambition can outpace ethical safeguards.