Every generation of humans believed it had all the answers it needed, except for a few mysteries they assumed would be solved at any moment. And they all believed their ancestors were simplistic and deluded. What are the odds that you are the first generation of humans who will understand reality?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Each generation thinks it has all answers and judges past generations as naive, but perhaps this is the first generation to truly grasp reality.
- In plain terms
- We assume we know everything and view ancestors as simple, yet we might finally understand reality.
- What can you take from it?
- Question assumptions about progress and consider that true understanding may be emerging now.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What evidence suggests we are closer to truth than previous generations?
- How can we avoid repeating past misconceptions?
Another view
It may be overconfident to claim this generation is uniquely capable of understanding reality.
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