Computers Quote by Julien Offray de La Mettrie
““Man is so complicated a machine that it is impossible to get a clear idea of the machine beforehand, and hence impossible to define it. For this reason, all the investigations have been vain, which the greatest philosophers have made à priori, that is to to say, in so far as they use, as it were, the wings of the spirit. Thus it is only à posteriori or by trying to disentangle the soul from the organs of the body, so to speak, that one can reach the highest probability concerning man's own nature, even though one can not discover with certainty what his nature is.””
About This Quote
Source Book: L'Homme Machine (Man a Machine) by Julien Offray de La Mettrie, 1748
Human nature is complex and cannot be fully understood through pure reason; empirical study of body and mind together offers the best probabilistic insights.
In simple terms: Human nature is complex; study body and mind together.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty, study empirically.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
empiricism
Mood
thoughtful
curious
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- medical research
- psychology
- education
- personal development
Key Concepts
dualism
materialism
probability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance reason and experience?
- What limits do we face in understanding ourselves?
A Different Perspective
Empirical study cannot guarantee certainty about human nature.
