It's an attitude of superiority. We are superior to the…
“It's an attitude of superiority. We are superior to the rest of life. The Book of Genesis says: 'Increase and multiply and have dominion over the birds of the air and the animals and so forth.' You run it; it's yours; do what you like with it. I don't know how old that text is, but it represents an attitude that probably really got going with the beginning of agriculture. Before that, the hunter-gatherers were gentler people than the agriculture.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human superiority claims stem from ancient texts, shaping domination over nature and altering societal behavior.
In simple terms: Domination is cultural.
Key Takeaway
Reevaluate our relationship with nature.
Themes
domination
culture
environment
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
environmental
When to use this quote
- environmental policy
- education
- community planning
Key Concepts
anthropology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect modern agriculture?
- Can we develop a more reciprocal ethic?
A Different Perspective
Historical narratives are contested and varied.