The avowed aim of all utopian movements is to put an end to history and to establish a final and read more

The avowed aim of all utopian movements is to put an end to history and to establish a final and permanent calm.

Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all other philosophers are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I read more

Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all other philosophers are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I should add that he also usually proves that he is one himself.

Specialization is for insects.

Specialization is for insects.

It is not a fragrant world.

It is not a fragrant world.

Society is like air; very high up, it is sublimated--too low down, a perfect choke-damp.

Society is like air; very high up, it is sublimated--too low down, a perfect choke-damp.

...far from failing in its intended task, our educational system is in fact succeeding magnificently, because its aim is to read more

...far from failing in its intended task, our educational system is in fact succeeding magnificently, because its aim is to keep the American people thoughtless enough to go on supporting the system.

The process of evolution may be described as differentiation of structure and integration of function. The more differentiated and specialized read more

The process of evolution may be described as differentiation of structure and integration of function. The more differentiated and specialized the parts, the more elaborate co-ordination is needed to create a well-balanced whole. The ultimate criterion of the value of a functional whole is the degree of its internal harmony or integratedness, whether the "functional whole" is a biological species or a civilization or an individual. A whole is defined by the pattern of relations between its parts, not by the sum of its parts; and a civilization is not defined by the sum of its science, technology, art and social organization, but by the total pattern which they form, and the degree of harmonious integration in that pattern.

Morality, thou deadly bane,Thy tens o' thousands thou has slain!

Morality, thou deadly bane,Thy tens o' thousands thou has slain!

I have steadily endeavored to keep my mind free so as to give up any hypothesis, however much beloved (and read more

I have steadily endeavored to keep my mind free so as to give up any hypothesis, however much beloved (and I cannot resist forming one on every subject), as soon as the facts are shown to be opposed to it.