We should never rush into folly just because other nations are practicing it.
Leon KassRead
Human life without death would be something other than human; consciousness of mortality gives rise to out deepest longings and greatest accomplishments.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Death is a fundamental aspect of life that shapes our desires and achievements.
In this quote, Leon Kass emphasizes the intrinsic connection between life and death, suggesting that our awareness of mortality defines our humanity. This consciousness not only ignites our deepest yearnings but also fuels our most significant accomplishments, as we strive to make meaningful impacts in the limited time we have.
Themes
MortalityLifeAccomplishmentsConsciousnessLongings
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a philosophy class to discuss the significance of mortality in human experience.
More from Leon Kass
All quotes βOne should proceed with caution. We may simply not be wise enough to do some of the kinds of engineering things that people are talking about doing.
Leon KassRead
There's an ancient tension between wanting to savor the world as it is and wanting to improve on the world as given.
Leon KassRead
As bad as it might be to destroy a creature made in God's image, it might be very much worse to be creating them after images of one's own.
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It's a short step from the belief that every child should be wanted to the belief that a child exists to satisfy our wants.
Leon KassRead
Sexuality itself means mortality - equally for both man and woman.
Leon KassRead
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Today we continue a never ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time.
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Most men ebb and flow in wretchedness between the fear of death and the hardship of life; they are unwilling to live, and yet they do not know how to die.
Seneca The YoungerRead