Able Quote by Terence McKenna
“For talking monkeys to speak of truth is hubris of the highest degree. Where is it writ large that talking monkeys should be able to model the cosmos? If a sea urchin or a racoon were to propose to you that it had a viable truth about the universe, the absurdity of that assertion would be self-evident, but in our case we make an exception.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Psychedelic Society Talk, 1995
He warns against granting authority to non‑human voices, highlighting the absurdity of treating animals as cosmic experts.
In simple terms: Don’t trust animals to explain the universe.
Key Takeaway
Question sources of authority.
Themes
skepticism
anthropocentrism
knowledge
Mood
critical
philosophical
Type
lecture
opinion
When to use this quote
- Scientific discourse
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria should we use for expertise?
- How do we balance humility with skepticism?
A Different Perspective
Dismisses animal cognition entirely, ignoring valuable insights.
![“It's not enough to look for the truth, however a noble journey that might be. [...] You must be able to say "yes" to what you see. [...] He is the yeasayer who could look upon evil, disease and suffering, all the worst incarnations of the Eternal No, and not fall insane. He is the great-souled one…” quote by David Zindell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/11f/david-zindell-19617_able_it-s-not-enough-to-look-for-the-truth-ho_1309092.jpg)
