The first thing that the human species has to do to prepare itself for the cosmic office to which it finds itself appointed is to explore human nature, to find out what are the possibilities open to it (including, of course, its limitations, whether inherent or imposed by the facts of external nature)... The great men of the past have given us glimpses of what is possible in the way of personality, of intellectual understanding, of spiritual achievement, of artistic creation. But these are scarcely more than Pisgah glimpses. We need to explore and map the whole realm of human possibility, as the realm of physical geography has been explored and mapped. How to create new possibilities for ordinary living? What can be done to bring out the latent capacities of the ordinary man and woman for understanding and enjoyment; to teach people the techniques of achieving spiritual experience (after all, one can acquire the technique of dancing or tennis, so why not of mystical ecstasy or spiritual peace?); to develop native talent and intelligence in the growing child, Instead of frustrating or distorting them?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humanity must explore human nature to find possibilities and limitations before fulfilling its cosmic office.
- In plain terms
- We need to study human nature to find out what we can do.
- What can you take from it?
- Explore human nature and possibilities thoroughly.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What limits are inherent to humans?
- How do we map human possibility?
Another view
Some human nature may remain inherently unknown or unknowable.
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