Ducks Quote by Jacob Bronowski
“There must be something unique about man because otherwise, evidently, the ducks would be lecturing about Konrad Lorenz, and the rats would be writing papers about B. F. Skinner.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowski, 1973
Humans are distinguished by their capacity for complex thought and cultural creation, unlike animals that act on instinct.
In simple terms: Humans think and create uniquely.
Value and nurture human creativity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- research
- artistic pursuits
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we define what makes us uniquely human?
- What responsibilities arise from our creative abilities?
Animals may also develop sophisticated behaviors, blurring the line.