Feels Quote by Lewis Thomas
“Montaigne simply turns his mind loose and writes whatever he feels like writing. Mostly, he wants to say that reason is not a special, unique gift of human beings, marking us off from the rest of nature.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lives of a Cell, 1974
Thomas argues that reason is not an exclusive human trait but a shared aspect of nature, challenging anthropocentric views of intellect.
In simple terms: Reason is a natural, not uniquely human, trait.
Key Takeaway
Recognize shared cognitive abilities across species.
Themes
philosophy
science
anthropocentrism
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- environmental ethics
- education
- interdisciplinary research
Key Concepts
cognitive biology
philosophy of mind
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing reason as non‑human affect our treatment of other species?
- What implications does this have for environmental responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Human exceptionalism may resist this view.
