If it is asserted that civilization is a real advance in…
“If it is asserted that civilization is a real advance in the condition of man,--and I think that it is, though only the wise improve their advantages,--it must be shown that it has produced better dwellings without making them more costly; and the cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Civilization should improve life without increasing cost; true cost is life spent.
In simple terms: Progress must not raise life’s expense.
Key Takeaway
Evaluate true cost of advancements.
Themes
civilization
cost
life value
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- technology
- policy
Key Concepts
economic trade-offs
ethical progress
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a worthwhile advancement?
- How can we measure life’s true cost?
A Different Perspective
Quantifying life’s cost is subjective.