Reason's biological function is to preserve and promote life and to postpone its extinction as long as possible. Thinking and acting are not contrary to nature; they are, rather, the foremost features of man's nature. The most appropriate description of man as differentiated from nonhuman beings is: a being purposively struggling against the forces adverse to his life.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Reason exists to preserve life, making thinking and acting core to human nature.
- In plain terms
- Thinking helps us stay alive, so it is part of being human.
- What can you take from it?
- Human rationality serves biological survival.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is survival the only purpose?
- Can reason oppose biology?
Another view
Reason sometimes leads to decisions that risk life.
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