Contemporary Quote by Karl Jaspers
“Just as primitive man believed himself to stand face to face with demons and believed that could he but know their names he would become their master, so is contemporary man faced by this incomprehensible, which disorders his calculations. "If I can but grasp it, if I can but cognise it", so he thinks, "I can make it my servant.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: “The Question of the Self”, 1932
Humans try to dominate the unknown by naming and understanding it, but this pursuit can lead to anxiety and miscalculation.
In simple terms: We try to control the unknown by understanding it, causing stress.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of control over complex problems.
Themes
knowledge
anxiety
human limitation
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- technological development
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
epistemology
existential risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks arise when we think we can master everything?
- When should we accept uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can cause missteps.
