Computers Quote by Joseph Campbell
““Man should not be in the service of society, society should be in the service of man. When man is in the service of society, you have a monster state, and that's what is threatening the world at this minute. ...Certainly Star Wars has a valid mythological perspective. It shows the state as a machine and asks, "Is the machine going to crush humanity or serve humanity?" Humanity comes not from the machine but from the heart. What I see in Star Wars is the same problem that Faust gives us: Mephistopheles, the machine man, can provide us with all the means, and is thus likely to determine the aims of life as well. But of course the characteristic of Faust, which makes him eligible to be saved, is that he seeks aims that are not those of the machine. Now, when Luke Skywalker unmasks his father, he is taking off the machine role that the father has played. The father was the uniform. That is power, the state role.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Mythology and Society, 1990
Society should serve individuals, not dominate them; power structures become oppressive when they replace human values.
In simple terms: Society must prioritize human well‑being over institutional control.
Key Takeaway
Promote policies that empower individuals over machines.
Themes
power
society
humanity
mythology
technology
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analysis
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community organizing
- education reform
Key Concepts
political philosophy
mythic analysis
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure society serves people?
- How can myths guide modern governance?
A Different Perspective
Balancing collective needs with individual rights is complex.
![“The fall [of your soul] from perfection into duality...was naturally followed by the discovery of the duality of good and evil...This is the Biblical version of a myth known to many lands.” quote by Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ff/joseph-campbell-300_biblical_the-fall-of-your-soul-from-perfection-in_22526.jpg)
