We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Stephen HawkingRead
It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that intelligence may not guarantee survival in the long run.
Stephen Hawking's quote prompts us to consider the value of intelligence in the context of our existence and survival. It raises the philosophical question of whether being intelligent provides any real advantage in the face of existential threats or challenges that humanity may encounter, emphasizing the uncertainty of our future regardless of our intellectual capabilities.
Themes
IntelligenceSurvivalExistenceValueUncertainty
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture discussing the future of humanity, one could use this quote to illustrate the limitations of intelligence.
More from Stephen Hawking
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It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. Its a crazy world out there. Be curious.
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I was not a good student. I did not spend much time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
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The world has changed far more in the past 100 years than in any other century in history. The reason is not political or economic but technological-technologies that flowed directly from advances in basic science. Clearly, no scientist better represents those advances than Albert Einstein: TIME's Person of the Century.
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In my opinion, there is no aspect of reality beyond the reach of the human mind.
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