Primitive Quote by A.A. Gill
““It must be said that almost all primitive people think themselves divinely wrought, singled out and special. Often their names translate simply as "the people" or, like the San bushmen of the Kalahari, the first people. But this is a symptom of primitiveness; attempting to prove divine biology in the nineteenth century is the anthropological equivalent of a society regressing to sleeping with the lights on.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Anthropological Perspective, 1990s
Humans often view themselves as uniquely created, a sign of primitive thinking; claiming divine origins today mirrors outdated beliefs.
In simple terms: People think they’re special, a primitive bias.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humility in human identity.
Themes
humility
anthropology
identity
bias
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- cultural studies
- education
- public discourse
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
ethnocentrism
myth of uniqueness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing ourselves as special affect our actions?
- Can humility improve cross‑cultural relations?
A Different Perspective
Such beliefs can foster arrogance and hinder scientific understanding.
![“Again, I hear almost everyday from atheists who write off religion as primitive, premodern nonsense. I summon Aquinas, Augustine, Paul [of Tarsus], Teresa of Avila, Joseph Ratzinger, and Edith Stein-in all their intellectual rigor-as allies in the the struggle against this dismissive atheism.” quote by Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/robert-barron-13186_allies_again-i-hear-almost-everyday-from-atheis_35728.jpg)
