Married couples who quarrel bitterly every day may really need each other as deeply as those who appear to be desperately in love.
Edward AbbeyRead
In metaphysics, the notion that earth and all that's on it is a mental construct is the product of people who spend their lives inside rooms. It is an indoor philosophy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques those who detach from the physical world, suggesting that understanding requires direct experience with nature.
Edward Abbey's quote highlights the contrast between abstract philosophical ideas and the tangible experiences of life. He argues that a purely mental or indoor perspective on reality lacks the richness and depth derived from engaging with the natural world. By referring to it as 'indoor philosophy,' he underscores the limitations of ideas that are not grounded in real-life experiences, advocating for a deeper connection with the earth.
Themes
PhilosophyNatureExperienceIndoorConstruct
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on environmental philosophy, this quote can emphasize the importance of experiencing nature.
More from Edward Abbey
All quotes →I love America because it is a confused, chaotic mess - and I hope we can keep it this way for at least another thousand years. The permissive society is the free society.
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If it's knowledge and wisdom you want, then seek out the company of those who do real work for an honest purpose.
Edward AbbeyRead
The earth is real. Only a fool, milking his cow, denies the cow's reality.
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I believe in nothing that I cannot touch, kiss, embrace.... The rest is only hearsay.
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Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, especially Zen, as we borrow from Christianity, science, American Indian traditions and world literature in general, including philosophy, and let the rest go hang? Borrow what we need but rely principally upon our own senses, common sense and daily living experience.
Edward AbbeyRead
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