--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So far from having a materialistic…" description: "\"So far from having a materialistic tendency, the supposed introduction into the earth at successive geological periods of life,-sensation,-instinct,-th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/charles-lyell-17452_dominion_so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tende_1957168.jpg" --- # So far from having a materialistic tendency, the supposed… ![“So far from having a materialistic tendency, the supposed introduction into the earth at successive geological periods of life,-sensation,-instinct,-the intelligence of the higher mammalia bordering on reason,-and lastly the improvable reason of Man himself, presents us with a picture of the…” quote by Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/charles-lyell-17452_dominion_so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tende_1957168.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/charles-lyell-17452_dominion_so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tende_1957168.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/charles-lyell-17452_dominion_so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tende_1957168.jpg) > “So far from having a materialistic tendency, the supposed introduction into the earth at successive geological periods of life,-sensation,-instinct,-the intelligence of the higher mammalia bordering on reason,-and lastly the improvable reason of Man himself, presents us with a picture of the ever-increasing dominion of mind over matter.” [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human intellect has increasingly dominated nature through evolution and reason. **In simple terms:** Mind increasingly controls nature. Key Takeaway Cultivate reasoning to shape the world. Themes science evolution human progress Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - technological development - environmental policy - education reform - philosophical debate Key Concepts cognition dominance reason Questions to Reflect On - How does reason affect our relationship with nature? - What responsibilities come with intellectual dominance? A Different Perspective Mind’s control can lead to ecological harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dominion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dominion/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Having Materialistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-materialistic-3209897/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Instinct Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct-intelligence-3209895/) [Introduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introduction/) [Introduction Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introduction-earth-3209896/) [Materialistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/materialistic/) [Materialistic Tendency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/materialistic-tendency-3209894/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind over matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-over-matter/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Periods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/periods/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Sensations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensations/) [Tendencies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tendencies/) ## Related quotes > [Instinct is intelligence incapable of self-consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sterling/instinct-is-intelligence-incapable-of-self-consciousness/) [John Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sterling/) > [Sometimes I just want to cry out joy, not because i am sad. When someone say they look up to you.Jesus I thank you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syntific/sometimes-i-just-want-to-cry-out-joy-not-because-i-am-sad-when/) [Syntific](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syntific/) > [YOU can fuk off if you dont like me; remember its mind over matter.I dont mind and you dont matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author-name/you-can-fuk-off-if-you-dont-like-me-remember-its-mind-over-matter-i/) [Author Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/author-name/) > [I'm not the same person I was before. I say what I want, When I want & How I want! At the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/i-m-not-the-same-person-i-was-before-i-say-what-i-want-when-i-want/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [This is an exercise in power - the power of mind over matter. 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He is a man of unique strength, a spiritual man exemplifying mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-pearl/what-sri-chinmoy-has-done-in-his-weightlifting-is-an-absolute-miracle/) [Bill Pearl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-pearl/) > [“Whenever you are angry, take a beautiful object in your house and smash it to pieces. The pity you feel for what you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/whenever-you-are-angry-take-a-beautiful-object-in-your-house-and/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“Thinking is mind over matter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/thinking-is-mind-over-matter/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-benny/age-is-strictly-a-case-of-mind-over-matter-if-you-don-t-mind-it-doesn/) [Jack Benny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-benny/) > [To see the butcher slap the steak before he laid it on the block, and give his knife a sharpening, was to forget breakfast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/to-see-the-butcher-slap-the-steak-before-he-laid-it-on-the-block-and/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [But I still think it's mind over matter in the sense that if you're strong, you can combat anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-mae/but-i-still-think-it-s-mind-over-matter-in-the-sense-that-if-you-re/) [Vanessa Mae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-mae/) > [“Positive thought waves Can Work Wonders...It's Called Mind over matter. Start Projecting The life you Want To Live & Then Go Out and Live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/positive-thought-waves-can-work-wonders-it-s-called-mind-over-matter/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [Mind over matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/mind-over-matter/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Charles Lyell > [It was a profound saying of Wilhelm Humboldt, that 'Man is man only by means of speech, but in order to invent speech he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/it-was-a-profound-saying-of-wilhelm-humboldt-that-man-is-man-only-by/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [In reply, I can only plead that a discovery which seems to contradict the general tenor of previous investigations is naturally received with much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/in-reply-i-can-only-plead-that-a-discovery-which-seems-to-contradict/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [Such discoveries have led me, and other geologists, to reconsider the evidence previously derived from caves brought forward in proof of the high antiquity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/such-discoveries-have-led-me-and-other-geologists-to-reconsider-the/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [Man, whose organization is regarded as the highest, departs from the vertebrate archetype; and it is because the study of anatomy is usually commenced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/man-whose-organization-is-regarded-as-the-highest-departs-from-the/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [Probably there was a beginning-it is a metaphysical question, worthy a theologian-species have begun and ended-but the analogy is faint and distant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/probably-there-was-a-beginning-it-is-a-metaphysical-question-worthy-a/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [I may conclude this chapter by quoting a saying of Professor Agassiz, that whenever a new and startling fact is brought to light in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/i-may-conclude-this-chapter-by-quoting-a-saying-of-professor-agassiz/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [Amidst the vicissitudes of the earth's surface, species cannot be immortal, but must perish, one after another, like the individuals which compose them. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/amidst-the-vicissitudes-of-the-earth-s-surface-species-cannot-be/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [It must have appeared almost as improbable to the earlier geologists, that the laws of earthquakes should one day throw light on the origin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/it-must-have-appeared-almost-as-improbable-to-the-earlier-geologists/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [Millions of our race are now supported by lands situated where deep seas once prevailed in earlier ages. In many districts not yet occupied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/millions-of-our-race-are-now-supported-by-lands-situated-where-deep/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [So far, therefore, as we can draw safe conclusions from a single specimen, there has been no marked change of race in the human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/so-far-therefore-as-we-can-draw-safe-conclusions-from-a-single/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [There is no foundation in geological facts, for the popular theory of the successive development of the animal and vegetable world, from the simplest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/there-is-no-foundation-in-geological-facts-for-the-popular-theory-of/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [That ere long, now that curiosity has been so much excited on this subject, some human remains will be detected in the older alluvium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/that-ere-long-now-that-curiosity-has-been-so-much-excited-on-this/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [Hitherto, no rival hypothesis has been proposed as a substitute for the doctrine of transmutation; for 'independent creation,' as it is often termed, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/hitherto-no-rival-hypothesis-has-been-proposed-as-a-substitute-for/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > [The present is the key to the past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/the-present-is-the-key-to-the-past/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) > ['Time's noblest offspring is the last.' This line of Bishop Berkeley's expresses the real cause of the belief in progress in the animal creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/time-s-noblest-offspring-is-the-last-this-line-of-bishop-berkeley-s/) [Charles Lyell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) [Explore all 37 Charles Lyell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/) ## More Dominion quotes > [I would rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my powers and dominion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/i-would-rather-excel-others-in-the-knowledge-of-what-is-excellent/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [Dominion is a spy novel, a love story, and also I hope gives some sense of the difficulties faced by dissidents under any totalitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/dominion-is-a-spy-novel-a-love-story-and-also-i-hope-gives-some-sense/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/in-giving-us-dominion-over-the-animal-kingdom-god-has-signified-his/) [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) > [Poverty comes from Hell. Prosperity comes from Heaven. Adam had complete dominion over the earth and all it contains. A. Adam could fly like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-hinn/poverty-comes-from-hell-prosperity-comes-from-heaven-adam-had/) [Benny Hinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-hinn/) > [And the Truth turns out to be nothing less than the amazing but undeniable fact that the whole outer world -whether it be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmet-fox/and-the-truth-turns-out-to-be-nothing-less-than-the-amazing-but/) [Emmet Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmet-fox/) > [Only he who has measured the dominion of force, and knows how not to respect it, is capable of love andjustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/only-he-who-has-measured-the-dominion-of-force-and-knows-how-not-to/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [“The greatest dangers you can get into are the ones you see coming. The ones that just happen are just roads waiting to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-manful/the-greatest-dangers-you-can-get-into-are-the-ones-you-see-coming-the/) [Melody Manful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-manful/) > [“Together my wife and I are building the kingdom of God, exercising dominion, beating back the weeds of stinky dippers, tending the garden God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr-2/together-my-wife-and-i-are-building-the-kingdom-of-god-exercising/) [R.C. Sproul Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr-2/) > [ The thing that was forfeited in the garden was regained. God gave him \[Adam\] dominion over the works of His hand. God made him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-lake/the-thing-that-was-forfeited-in-the-garden-was-regained-god-gave-him/) [John G. Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-g-lake/) > [God in heaven has dominion Over so many events. He can frustrate what seems inevitable, And bring to pass the thing that you least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/god-in-heaven-has-dominion-over-so-many-events-he-can-frustrate-what/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Christ by his death destroying the works of the devil, procuring the Spirit for us, hath so killed sin, as to its reign in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/christ-by-his-death-destroying-the-works-of-the-devil-procuring-the/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [ It may be said of them \[the Hollanders\], as of the Spaniards, that the sun never sets upon their Dominions. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gage/it-may-be-said-of-them-the-hollanders-as-of-the-spaniards-that-the/) [Thomas Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gage/) > [The impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-impious-presumption-of-legislators-and-rulers-civil-as-well-as/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In 1491 the Inka ruled the greatest empire on earth. Bigger than Ming Dynasty China, bigger than Ivan the Great’s expanding Russia, bigger than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-c-mann/in-1491-the-inka-ruled-the-greatest-empire-on-earth-bigger-than-ming/) [Charles C. Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-c-mann/) > [The dominion which the banking institutions have obtained over the minds of our citizens...must be broken, or it will break us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-dominion-which-the-banking-institutions-have-obtained-over-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Browse all 382 Dominion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dominion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "So far from having a materialistic tendency, the supposed introduction into the earth at successive geological periods of life,-sensation,-instinct,-the intelligence of the higher mammalia bordering on reason,-and lastly the improvable reason of Man himself, presents us with a picture of the ever-increasing dominion of mind over matter.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charles Lyell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tendency-the-supposed-introduction/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dominion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tendency-the-supposed-introduction/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/charles-lyell-17452_dominion_so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tende_1957168.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/charles-lyell-17452_dominion_so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tende_1957168.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/charles-lyell-17452_dominion_so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tende_1957168.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“So far from having a materialistic tendency, the supposed introduction into the earth at successive…” — Charles Lyell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Charles Lyell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lyell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "So far from having a materialistic...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tendency-the-supposed-introduction/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lyell/so-far-from-having-a-materialistic-tendency-the-supposed-introduction/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```