There is ... a contemporary trend to make a sort of…
““There is ... a contemporary trend to make a sort of 'common intellect' out of society and forbid man his own independent access to truth. All is culture-clouded, and society as the climate of thought is the cause of our thoughts. But in Thomas's theory a man can transcend his environment just as he can transcend the material conditions surrounding any essence; material conditions will be his point of departure, and yet arrival at the truth or being of whatever he is studying is not ruled out. As an unlimited power, man's intellect opens man to the infinite, although only love reaches it. The relation of each man to transcendent existence in his knowing and living experience - this is the ground of objectivity.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society’s dominant intellect can cloud truth, but love and transcendence can lead to deeper understanding.
In simple terms: Collective thought obscures truth; love and transcendence reveal it.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth beyond cultural norms.
Themes
philosophy
truth
love
transcendence
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
Type
Aquinas:0
Love:1
Transcendence:1
Truth:1
Philosophy of Mind:0
Man Intellect:0
Thomas Theory:0
Transcendent Existence:0
Thoughts Thomas:0
Common Intellect:0
When to use this quote
- education
- spiritual practice
- critical thinking
Key Concepts
metaphysics
ethics
social theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does love influence your pursuit of truth?
- Can you transcend societal biases?
A Different Perspective
Love alone may not guarantee objectivity.