Catholicism Quote by Marshall McLuhan
““It is not brains or intelligence that is needed to cope with the problems with Plato and Aristotle and all of their successors to the present have failed to confront. What is needed is a readiness to undervalue the world altogether. This is only possible for a Christian... All technologies and all cultures, ancient and modern, are part of our immediate expanse. There is hope in this diversity since it creates vast new possibilities of detachment and amusement at human gullibility and self-deception. There is no harm in reminding ourselves from time to time that the "Prince of this World" is a great P.R. man, a great salesman of new hardware and software, a great electric engineer, and a great master of the media. It is his master stroke to be not only environmental but invisible for the environmental is invincibly persuasive when ignored.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, 1964
The quote argues that intellectual tools alone cannot solve deep philosophical problems; instead, a Christian perspective that de‑values worldly concerns allows a detached, critical view of technology and media, revealing their manipulative power.
In simple terms: Intelligence isn’t enough; we need a Christian‑like detachment to see media’s tricks.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate critical distance from technology.
Themes
philosophy
media
religion
critical thinking
Mood
skeptical
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal reflection
- media literacy
- technology policy
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
detachment
illusion
media influence
Christian ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we develop detachment without religious framing?
- What modern media act as the “Prince of this World”?
A Different Perspective
The claim that only Christians can achieve this detachment may exclude other secular or religious paths to critical awareness.
