Age Quote by Walt Whitman
“Note, to-day, an instructive, curious spectacle and conflict. Science, (twin, in its fields, of Democracy in its)—Science, testing absolutely all thoughts, all works, has already burst well upon the world—a sun, mounting, most illuminating, most glorious—surely never again to set. But against it, deeply entrench'd, holding possession, yet remains, (not only through the churches and schools, but by imaginative literature, and unregenerate poetry,) the fossil theology of the mythic-materialistic, superstitious, untaught and credulous, fable-loving, primitive ages of humanity.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Leaves of Grass, 1855 (section on democracy and science)
Science illuminates humanity like a rising sun, yet outdated mythic beliefs persist, entrenched in institutions and culture.
In simple terms: Science shines, old myths linger.
Key Takeaway
Challenge outdated beliefs with knowledge.
Themes
progress
science
tradition
Mood
hopeful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education reform
- public policy
- media literacy
Key Concepts
philosophy
sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- What myths still dominate modern thought?
- How can science be made more accessible?
A Different Perspective
New ideas may be resisted by entrenched power structures.
![“[Science] must be amoral by its very nature: The minute it begins separating facts into the two categories of good ones and bad ones it ceases to be science and becomes a mere nuisance, like theology.” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e28/h-l-mencken-245_categories_science-must-be-amoral-by-its-very-natur_2661671.jpg)
