History Quote by Eric Voegelin
““The public interest has shifted from the nature of man to the nature of nature and to the prospects of domination its exploration opened; and the loss of interest even turned to hatred when the nature of man proved to be resistant to the changes dreamed up by intellectuals who want to add the lordship of society and history to the mastery of nature.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Order of History by Eric Voegelin, 1976
The focus of society has moved from human nature to controlling nature, and when humans resist, they are vilified.
In simple terms: Society now values domination over nature, rejecting human limits.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect human limits in technological ambition.
Themes
power
technology
human nature
societal values
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- environmental policy
- technological development
- ethical debates
- public discourse
Key Concepts
domination
resistance
intellectual hubris
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your community balance technological progress with human dignity?
- What ethical safeguards are needed when reshaping nature?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate the uniformity of societal shift; not all cultures prioritize domination.
