Atheism Quote by John Dewey
“There can be no doubt ... of our dependence upon forces beyond our control. Primitive man was so impotent in the face of these forces that g , especially in an unfavorable natural environment, fear became a dominant attitude, and, as the old saying goes, fear created gods.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Experience and Nature, 1925
Humans fear unknown forces, leading to creation of deities to explain and control them.
In simple terms: Fear of nature creates gods.
Key Takeaway
Recognize fear’s role in belief systems.
Themes
fear
religion
human nature
psychology
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- ancient societies
- natural disasters
- modern anxieties
Key Concepts
anthropology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear shape cultural narratives?
- Can modern science replace mythic explanations?
A Different Perspective
Counterpoint: Not all fear leads to deity formation; rationalism offers alternatives.
![“By nature, by necessity itself, [primitive man] is encyclopedic, while civilized man finds himself confined in the infinitely small regions of specialization.” quote by Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/28d/charles-baudelaire-473_civilization_by-nature-by-necessity-itself-primitive_997860.jpg)
