Firsts Quote by Joseph Wood Krutch
“Science has always promised two things not necessarily related; an increase first in our powers, second in our happiness or wisdom, and we have come to realize that it is the first and less important of the two promises which it has kept most abundantly.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Promise of Science", 1940s, published in The Atlantic
Science often boosts capability but fails to deliver proportional happiness or wisdom, highlighting a mismatch between technological progress and human fulfillment.
In simple terms: Science gives power, not always happiness.
Key Takeaway
Seek wisdom alongside technological advancement.
Themes
science
philosophy
humanism
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- Policy making
- education reform
- personal development
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Technological determinism
well‑being
ethical limits
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true progress look like?
- Can science address existential needs?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on tech can ignore mental health.
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