What is the essence of theosophy? It is the fact that man, being himself divine, can know the divinity whose life he shares. As an inevitable corollary to this supreme truth comes the fact of the brotherhood of man.
Annie BesantRead
Science regards man as an aggregation of atoms temporarily united by a mysterious force called the life-principle. To the materialist, the only difference between a living and a dead body is that in the one case that force is active, in the other latent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the nature of life and existence from a materialist perspective, emphasizing the difference between a living person and a dead body as merely a difference in the presence or absence of a life force.
Annie Besant's quote explores the materialist viewpoint on human existence, suggesting that individuals are essentially collections of atoms brought together by a life force. In her view, what distinguishes a living person from a dead one is not a fundamental biological difference, but rather the activity of this mysterious force that animates life. This perspective raises profound questions about the essence of life, the nature of consciousness, and the implications of viewing humanity through a purely scientific lens.
Themes
ScienceLifeMaterialismExistencePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture discussing the relationship between science and philosophy, this quote can provide a thought-provoking perspective.
More from Annie Besant
All quotes →No durable things are built on violent passion. Nature grows her plants in silence and in darkness, and only when they have become strong do they put their heads above the ground.
Annie BesantRead
Death consists, indeed, in a repeated process of unrobing, or unsheathing. The immortal part of man shakes off from itself, one after the other, its outer casings, and - as the snake from its skin, the butterfly from its chrysalis - emerges from one after another, passing into a higher state of consciousness.
Annie BesantRead
Let Indian history be set side by side with Europe history with what there is of the latter century by century and let us see whether India need blush at the comparison.
Annie BesantRead
My own life in India, since I came to it in 1893 to make it my home, has been devoted to one purpose, to give back to India her ancient freedom.
Annie BesantRead
Knowledge is essential to conquest; only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment.
Annie BesantRead
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