--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It must be clear to those who look below…" description: "\"“It must be clear to those who look below the surface of things that far-reaching changes in our fundamental ideas and attitudes are setting in, and th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/hon-j-c-smuts-165614_last-resort_it-must-be-clear-to-those-who-look-below_1560270.jpg" --- # It must be clear to those who look below the surface of… ![“It must be clear to those who look below the surface of things that far-reaching changes in our fundamental ideas and attitudes are setting in, and that the world of to-morrow will be a very different one from that which carried us into the abyss in 1914. In this connection a grave duty arises…” quote by Hon J.C. Smuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/hon-j-c-smuts-165614_last-resort_it-must-be-clear-to-those-who-look-below_1560270.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/hon-j-c-smuts-165614_last-resort_it-must-be-clear-to-those-who-look-below_1560270.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/hon-j-c-smuts-165614_last-resort_it-must-be-clear-to-those-who-look-below_1560270.jpg) > ““It must be clear to those who look below the surface of things that far-reaching changes in our fundamental ideas and attitudes are setting in, and that the world of to-morrow will be a very different one from that which carried us into the abyss in 1914. In this connection a grave duty arises also for our science and philosophy. The higher thought of our day should not exhaust itself in fine-spun technicalities of speculation or research, but should regard itself as dedicated to service and should make its distinctive contribution towards the upbuilding of a new constructive world-view. We are passing through one of the great transition epochs of history; we are threatened with reaction on the one hand and with disintegration on the other. The old beacon lights are growing dimmer, and the torch of new ideas has to be kindled for our guidance. The word is largely with our intellectual leaders. In the last resort a civilisation vi PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION depends on its general ideas; it is nothing but a spiritual structure of the dominant ideas expressing themselves in institutions and the subtle atmosphere of culture. If the soul of our civilisation is to be saved we shall have to find new and fuller expression for the great saving unities—the unity of reality in all its range, the unity of life in all its forms, the unity of ideas throughout human civilisation, and the unity of man's spirit with the mystery of the Cosmos in religious faith and aspiration. Holism is in its own way a groping towards the new light and to new points of view. And I cannot help feeling that if the full extent of its implications is realised, both science and philosophy”” [Hon J.C. Smuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hon-j-c-smuts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humanity must adopt holistic, unified ideas to guide civilization through transition, integrating science, philosophy, and spirituality. **In simple terms:** Holistic unity guides civilization. Key Takeaway Pursue integrated thinking. Themes Holism Philosophy Science Spirituality Civilization Mood hopeful serious Type essay manifesto When to use this quote - Academic conferences - Public policy - Community workshops - Personal study Key Concepts Systems theory Ethics Cultural studies Questions to Reflect On - How can diverse fields collaborate? - What practical steps foster holistic views? A Different Perspective May be idealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilisation Unity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilisation-unity-5851323/) [Higher Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-thought-4575278/) [Holism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holism/) [Holism Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holism-way-3119345/) [Last resort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-resort/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Religious faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-faith/) [Science and philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-and-philosophy/) [Soul Civilisation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul-civilisation-5851324/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) ## Related quotes > [“Historically, holism had been a break from the reductionist methods of science. 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Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-r-ferguson/) ## More Holism quotes > [“Holism, wholeness, healing, and holiness are all derived from the same root in Old English: haelen, to “make whole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-r-ferguson/holism-wholeness-healing-and-holiness-are-all-derived-from-the-same/) [Elaine R. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-r-ferguson/) > [ General Systems Theory, a related modern concept \[to holism\], says that each variable in any system interacts with the other variables so thoroughly that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-ferguson/general-systems-theory-a-related-modern-concept-to-holism-says-that/) [Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-ferguson/) > [“Historically, holism had been a break from the reductionist methods of science. 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The understanding of relationship is infinitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/action-has-meaning-only-in-relationship-and-without-understanding/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [To go back to architecture, whats organic about architecture as a field, unlike product design, is this whole issue of holism and of monumentality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-lynn/to-go-back-to-architecture-whats-organic-about-architecture-as-a/) [Greg Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-lynn/) > [“Brave out-of-the-box thinkers are transforming and renewing the conventional practice of dentistry. 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