---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Civilized\" society is a hopeful belief…"
description: "\"“Civilized\" society is a hopeful belief and protest that science, money and goods make man count for more than any other animal. In this sense everythi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/ernest-becker-7036_civilized_civilized-society-is-a-hopeful-belief-an_254515.jpg"
---

#  Civilized" society is a hopeful belief and protest that…

![“Civilized" society is a hopeful belief and protest that science, money and goods make man count for more than any other animal. In this sense everything that man does is religious and heroic, and yet in danger of being fictitious and fallible,” quote by Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/ernest-becker-7036_civilized_civilized-society-is-a-hopeful-belief-an_254515.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/ernest-becker-7036_civilized_civilized-society-is-a-hopeful-belief-an_254515.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba6/ernest-becker-7036_civilized_civilized-society-is-a-hopeful-belief-an_254515.jpg)

> ““Civilized" society is a hopeful belief and protest that science, money and goods make man count for more than any other animal. In this sense everything that man does is religious and heroic, and yet in danger of being fictitious and fallible,””

[Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human culture elevates science, wealth, and material progress as a way to feel superior, but this belief is fragile and can be illusory.

**In simple terms:** Society’s pride in progress is hopeful yet shaky.

Key Takeaway

Recognize limits of material confidence.

Themes

culture science humanism hubris

Mood

reflective critical thoughtful

Type

philosophical analytical inspirational

When to use this quote

- political debate
- corporate strategy
- personal ambition
- ethical decision making

Key Concepts

existentialism symbolic self heroic narrative

Questions to Reflect On

- What does “heroic” truly mean today?
- How can we balance progress with humility?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on material success can ignore deeper needs.

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[Civilized society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/)

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## More by Ernest Becker

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[Explore all 95 Ernest Becker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/)

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> [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/)

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