Animals Quote by Theodore Dreiser
“Our civilization is still in a middle stage, scarcely beast, in that it is no longer wholly guided by instinct; scarcely human, in that it is not yet wholly guided by reason.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, 1925
Humanity is caught between instinct and reason, not fully animal nor fully rational.
In simple terms: We are partly driven by instinct, partly by reason.
Key Takeaway
Balance instinct and reason.
Themes
human nature
philosophy
evolution
Mood
contemplative
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- ethical decision making
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
instinct
reason
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance instinct and reason?
- Can one fully transcend instinct?
A Different Perspective
Pure reason may be unattainable for many people
![“No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb [Earth] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic beasts.” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/olaf-stapledon-9950_angel_no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-anoth_12107.jpg)
