--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes I suspect that there are two…" description: "\"Sometimes I suspect that there are two prototypes of philosophers who write about humans - I call them \"celestials\" and \"terrestrials\", without implyin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/nomy-arpaly-21717_brain_sometimes-i-suspect-that-there-are-two-p_311657.jpg" --- # Sometimes I suspect that there are two prototypes of… ![“Sometimes I suspect that there are two prototypes of philosophers who write about humans - I call them "celestials" and "terrestrials", without implying that celestials have their heads in the clouds or that terrestrials have theirs buried in the ground. The difference between these two types is…” quote by Nomy Arpaly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/nomy-arpaly-21717_brain_sometimes-i-suspect-that-there-are-two-p_311657.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/nomy-arpaly-21717_brain_sometimes-i-suspect-that-there-are-two-p_311657.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/nomy-arpaly-21717_brain_sometimes-i-suspect-that-there-are-two-p_311657.jpg) > “Sometimes I suspect that there are two prototypes of philosophers who write about humans - I call them "celestials" and "terrestrials", without implying that celestials have their heads in the clouds or that terrestrials have theirs buried in the ground. The difference between these two types is not so much in their theories but in whether or not they would find it a very sad thing if it turned out that the only way a human is superior to a wolf is this: the human brain is significantly more capacious and complex.” [Nomy Arpaly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nomy-arpaly/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts two kinds of philosophers: those who idealize humanity and those who focus on its material limits, emphasizing that the true tragedy is seeing human superiority only in brain size and complexity. **In simple terms:** Two philosopher types: idealists vs. materialists, focusing on human uniqueness. Key Takeaway Recognize that human value isn’t just cognitive superiority. Themes philosophy human nature humility intellectual humility anthropology Mood thoughtful critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - Academic debate - public policy - education curricula - media commentary Key Concepts Idealism materialism cognitive bias anthropocentrism Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of humanity are undervalued by focusing on cognition? - How can we broaden our definition of human superiority? A Different Perspective It may overlook emotional, social, and moral capacities beyond brain size. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Human brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-brain/) [Humans Celestials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans-celestials-2956236/) [Implying Celestials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/implying-celestials-2956234/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophers Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophers-write-2378379/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Prototype](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prototype/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Terrestrials Implying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrestrials-implying-2956235/) [Very sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very-sad/) [Wolf Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wolf-human-453944/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“There was once a man, Harry, called the Steppenwolf. 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