Human psyche Quote by Don Cupitt
““Those who first acquired language and tried to think the human situation were utterly overwhelmed. They could cope only by imagining that there were greater invisible beings who could and did understand and control both the human psyche and the world. ‘I can’t make sense of it, but I have to believe that there is a larger perspective within which it all makes sense.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Myth of the Secular: A Defense of Religion and Reason, 2005
Early humans, lacking language, felt powerless and created gods to explain the world and their minds.
In simple terms: People invented gods to make sense of unknowns.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of belief in coping with uncertainty.
Themes
belief
meaning
human nature
psychology
mythology
Mood
reflective
analytical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- cultural explanation
- psychological comfort
- social cohesion
Key Concepts
existentialism
cognitive anthropology
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern narratives replace ancient gods?
- What are the consequences of relying on unseen forces for meaning?
A Different Perspective
Belief may limit critical inquiry and scientific progress.
![“A God out there and values out there, if they existed, would be utterly useless and unintelligible to us. There is nothing to be gained by nostalgia for the old objectivism, which was in any case used only to justify arrogance, tyranny, and cruelty. People [forget] ... how utterly hateful the old…” quote by Don Cupitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/94d/don-cupitt-31574_arrogance_a-god-out-there-and-values-out-there-if_1022705.jpg)
