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Once upon a time a young man of American background thought he had discovered the Great Secret, the Skeleton Key to the Cosmos, the Absolute Answer to the Age Old Question asked by every Wizard, and Alchemist and Mystic that ever peered curiously into the Perplexing Heavens, by every Doctor and Scientist and Explorer that ever wondered about the Winding Ways of this world, by every Philosopher and Holyman and Politician that ever listened for the Mysterious Song beneath the beat of the Human Heart... the answer to 'What Makes It All Go?'

Ken Kesey#8

PhilosophyKnowledgeMeaningMysticismScience

About this quote

What does it mean?
A search for ultimate answers spans science, mysticism, and philosophy.
In plain terms
Everyone from scientists to mystics looks for the big question's answer.
What can you take from it?
The quest for meaning is universal.

Where it applies

  • education
  • spiritual seeking
  • scientific inquiry

Putting it to work

  • philosophical inquiry
  • interdisciplinary study

Questions to consider

  • What is the Great Secret?
  • Why do we seek ultimate answers?

Another view

No single answer may exist.

More from Ken Kesey

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