The whole life lies in the verb seeing.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
The quantity and quality of consciousness, one may say, have always been growing throughout geological times. In this respect man, in whom nervous organisation and therefore psychological powers have attained an undisputed maximum, may be considered, scientifically, as a natural centre of evolution of the primates.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that human consciousness has evolved significantly over time, with humans representing the pinnacle of this evolution.
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin's quote highlights the idea that consciousness, both in terms of quantity and quality, has progressively developed throughout the history of the Earth. He posits that humans, as beings with advanced nervous systems and psychological capabilities, exemplify the peak of evolutionary progress among primates, indicating that the evolution of consciousness is a key aspect of our existence.
Themes
ConsciousnessEvolutionHumanityPsychologyPrimate
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on the evolution of consciousness, one might quote this to explain the significance of human development.
More from Pierre Teilhard De Chardin
All quotes →Religion and science are the two conjugated faces or phases of one and the same complete act of knowledge - the only one which can embrace the past and future of evolution and so contemplate, measure and fulfil them.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
The mineral world is a much more supple and mobile world than could be imagined by the science of the ancients. Vaguely analogous to the metamorphoses of living creatures, there occurs in the most solid rocks, as we now know, perpetual transformation of a mineral species.
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We may, perhaps, imagine that the creation was finished long ago. But that would be quite wrong. It continues still more magnificently, and at the highest levels of the world.
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Love alone is capable of uniting living beings in such a way as to complete and fulfill them, for it alone takes them and joins them by what is deepest in themselves. All we need is to imagine our ability to love developing until it embraces the totality of men and the earth.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
If there is one thing I fear less than everything else, it is, I believe, persecution for my opinions. There are a good many points about which I may be diffident, but when it comes to questions of Truth and intellectual independence, there is no holding me - I can envisage no finer end than to sacrifice oneself for a conviction.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
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