The brain may be regarded as a kind of parasite of the organism, a pensioner, as it were, who dwells with the body.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The brain can be seen as a parasite of the body, like a pensioner living off the organism.
- In plain terms
- The brain is like a parasite that lives off the body.
- What can you take from it?
- The brain's energy demands are a burden on the organism.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is the brain truly parasitic or symbiotic?
- What are the implications of this view?
Another view
Metaphor may oversimplify complex brain-body relationships.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
A reproach can only hurt if it hits the mark. Whoever knows that he does not deserve a reproach can treat it with contempt.
Permalink to quote #26 National character is only another name for the particular form which the littleness, perversity and baseness of mankind take in every country. Every nation mo…
Permalink to quote #28 Childish and altogether ludicrous is what you yourself are and all philosophers; and if a grown-up man like me spends fifteen minutes with fools of this kind, …
Permalink to quote #25
Related quotes
There is one living spirit, prevalent over this world ... which assumes a multitude of forms according to subordinate laws. There is one thinking sensible prin…
Charles DarwinCharles Darwin quote #1 I love the idea of there being two sexes, don't you?
James ThurberJames Thurber quote #3 Il y a un peu de testicule au fond de nos sentiments les plus sublimes et de notre tendresse la plus epuree
Denis DiderotDenis Diderot quote #5