Ours is a bourgeois civilization. I am not using this term…
““ Ours is a bourgeois civilization. I am not using this term in its Marxian sense. Chicken! In the vocabularies of modern art and religion it is bourgeois to consider that the universe was made for our safe use and to give us comfort, ease, and support. Light travels at a quarter of a million miles per second so that we can see to comb our hair or read in the paper that ham hocks are cheaper than yesterday. De Tocqueville considered the impulse toward well-being as one of the strongest impulses of a democratic society. He can't be blamed for underestimating the destructive powers generated by this same impulse. ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques how modern civilization treats the universe as a convenient tool for comfort, ignoring deeper consequences of such complacency.
In simple terms: Modern life treats nature as a convenience, overlooking its deeper impact.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question comfort‑driven assumptions.
Themes
comfort
civilization
humanism
technology
environment
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- personal lifestyle
- policy making
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
anthropocentrism
ethical critique
modernity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does comfort shape our values?
- What responsibilities arise from using nature as a tool?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex societal motivations.