Civilization Quote by Jacques Ellul
“Our civilization is first and foremost a civilization of means; in the reality of modern life, the means, it would seem, are more important than the ends.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Technological Society, 1954
Modern civilization prioritizes tools and resources over ultimate goals, shaping values and decisions.
In simple terms: Means dominate over ends in modern life.
Key Takeaway
Focus on aligning means with meaningful ends.
Themes
technology
values
society
means vs ends
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- policy making
- personal goal setting
- environmental planning
Key Concepts
instrumentalism
ethical prioritization
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure tools serve higher purposes?
- What ends are we neglecting?
A Different Perspective
Means alone cannot fulfill deeper human needs.
![“In its broad sense, civilization means not only comfort in daily necessities but also the refining of knowledge and the cultivation of virtue so as to elevate human life to a higher plane... It refers to the attainment of both material well-being and the elevation of the human spirit, [but] since…” quote by Fukuzawa Yukichi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b23/fukuzawa-yukichi-22233_attainment_in-its-broad-sense-civilization-means-no_1507246.jpg)
