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Where does one start with a theory of man if the theory of man as an organism in an environment doesn't work and all the attributes of man which were accepted in the old modern age are now called into question: his soul, mind, freedom, will, Godlikeness? There is only one place to start: the place where man's singularity is there for all to see and cannot be called into question, even in a new age in which everything else is in dispute. That singularity is language... [citation needed]

Walker Percy#13

IdentityHumanityPhilosophyLanguageTheory

About this quote

What does it mean?
When traditional definitions of man fail language remains the one undeniable trait that defines human singularity.
In plain terms
If old ideas about humans fail language is the only thing we can agree on.
What can you take from it?
Start theories of humanity with language.

Where it applies

  • philosophy
  • anthropology
  • education

Putting it to work

  • Study linguistics
  • Analyze speech

Questions to consider

  • What makes us human?
  • Is language enough?

Another view

Other traits like tool use or reasoning might also define humans uniquely.

More from Walker Percy

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  2. Why is there such a gap between nonspeaking animals and speaking man, when there is no other such gap in nature? Is it possible that a theory of man is nothing…

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  3. Christians talk about the horror of sin, but they have overlooked something. They keep talking as if everyone were a great sinner, when the truth is that nowad…

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