Nowadays, to say that we are clever animals is not to say…
“Nowadays, to say that we are clever animals is not to say something philosophical and pessimistic but something political and hopeful - namely, if we can work together, we can make ourselves into whatever we are clever and courageous enough to imagine ourselves becoming. This is to set aside Kant's question "What is man?" and to substitute the question "What sort of world can we prepare for our great grandchildren?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cleverness is not merely philosophical; it is political and hopeful, suggesting collective effort can shape a future for descendants.
In simple terms: Cleverness can shape a hopeful future through collective effort.
Key Takeaway
Use collective intelligence to shape future worlds.
Themes
politics
philosophy
hope
collective action
Mood
inspirational
optimistic
Type
visionary
motivational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community projects
- education reform
Key Concepts
social constructivism
future studies
Questions to Reflect On
- What collective actions are needed now?
- How can we balance optimism with realism?
A Different Perspective
Cleverness alone cannot guarantee success without action.