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About this quote

What does it mean?
Naturalism fails to address deeper moral and spiritual human needs.
In plain terms
Science alone does not satisfy our moral or spiritual side.
What can you take from it?
Material views often miss spiritual needs.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debates
  • personal reflection

Putting it to work

  • critique of pure science
  • interfaith dialogue

Questions to consider

  • Does science fully explain human experience?
  • What satisfies your moral nature?

Another view

Naturalism may actually satisfy those who reject supernatural beliefs.

More from John Burroughs

  1. 'Every day is a Sabbath to me. All pure water is holy water, and this earth is a celestial abode.' (p.263)

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  2. 'To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled b…

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  3. 'Man's craving for the supernatural is as natural as our discounting of the present moment... The natural becomes trite and commonplace to us and we take refug…

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