A better understanding of the brain is certain to lead man to a richer comprehension both of himself, of his fellow man, and of society, and in fact of the whole world with its problems.
John EcclesRead
I can explain my body and my brain, but there's something more. I can't explain my own existence - what makes me a unique human being.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the complexity of human identity beyond physical and cognitive explanations.
John Eccles highlights the profound mystery of human existence that transcends biological and mental attributes. While we can articulate the mechanics of our bodies and minds, the essence of what makes each individual unique remains elusive and deeply philosophical, prompting deeper reflection on our identity and consciousness.
In practice
This quote can be used in a philosophy discussion about the nature of self.
Where you are born--what you are born into, the place, the history of the place, how that history mates with your own-- stamps who you are, whatever the pundits of globalisation have to say.
The Tao teaches us to let go of things. Use the 80/20 rule. If you take all your clothes, you'll find out that you only wear 20 percent of them. Take what you have and don't use and circulate it. Give stuff to people who truly need it. After all, we come into this world with nothing; we leave this world with nothing.
You can neither lie to a neighbourhood park, nor reason with it. 'Artist's conceptions' and persuasive renderings can put pictures of life into proposed neighbourhood parks or park malls, and verbal rationalizations can conjure up users who ought to appreciate them, but in real life only diverse surroundings have the practical power of inducing a natural, continuing flow of life and use.
The true greatness of nations is in those qualities which constitute the greatness of the individual.
The destructive character lives from the feeling, not that life is worth living, but that suicide is not worth the trouble.
All human actions are equivalent... and all are on principle doomed to failure.
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