Economics Quote by Frederick Soddy
““It is a curious thought that the earliest description of the steam-engine in antiquity describes its use for the magic opening of the temple doors, when the priests lit the fires on the altars, to deceive the populace into ascribing to a deity what was the work of the engineer. In much the same way today, the almost boundless fecundity of the creative scientific discoveries and inventions of the age are being appropriated for the purpose of the mysterious opening of doors into the holy of holies of the temples of mammon by a hierarchy of imposters and humbugs, whom it is the first task of a sane civilization to expose and clear out.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wealth of Nations, 1910 (interpretation)
The quote warns that scientific breakthroughs are often co-opted by powerful elites to manipulate public belief, disguising engineering as divine intervention.
In simple terms: Science can be misused by those in power to control people.
Key Takeaway
Expose and challenge deceptive uses of technology.
Themes
power
science
manipulation
ethics
society
Mood
skeptical
concerned
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- corporate marketing
- religious propaganda
- public policy debates
- media narratives
Key Concepts
technology appropriation
illusion
authority
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure transparency in scientific applications?
- What safeguards protect against elite exploitation?
A Different Perspective
It may overstate historical accuracy of ancient steam-engine use.
![“[The human control of atomic energy could] virtually provide anyone who wanted it with a private sun of his own.” quote by Frederick Soddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/43e/frederick-soddy-16246_atomic-energy_the-human-control-of-atomic-energy-could_422373.jpg)
![“[The blame for the future 'plight of civilization] must rest on scientific men, equally with others, for being incapable of accepting the responsibility for the profound social upheavals which their own work primarily has brought about in human relationships.” quote by Frederick Soddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0de/frederick-soddy-16246_acceptance_the-blame-for-the-future-plight-of-civil_627769.jpg)
