If you put it as 'complex nervous systems' it sounds…
““If you put it as 'complex nervous systems' it sounds pretty deflationary. What's so special about a complex nervous system? But of course, that complex nervous system allows you to do calculus. It allows you to do astrophysics… to write poetry... to fall in love. Put under that description, when asked 'What’s so special about humans...?', I’m at a loss to know how to answer that question. If you don’t see why we’d be special… because we can do poetry [and] think philosophical thoughts [and] we can think about the morality of our behavior, I’m not sure what kind of answer could possibly satisfy you at that point. ...I could pose the same kinds of questions of you... So God says, 'You are guys are really, really special.' How does his saying it make us special? 'But you see, he gave us a soul.' How does our having a soul make us special? Whatever answer you give, you could always say… 'What’s so special about that?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Complex nervous systems enable calculus, poetry, love, and morality, raising questions about human uniqueness.
In simple terms: Complex brains allow diverse achievements.
Key Takeaway
Value and explore human capacities.
Themes
humanity
complexity
creativity
morality
science
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- artistic creation
- scientific research
Key Concepts
neuroscience
cognitive science
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly makes humans special?
- How do we define 'specialness'?
A Different Perspective
May assume uniqueness without evidence.