Bernard of Chartres, a 12th-century French philosopher, coined the phrase “We are dwarfs on the shoulders of giants.” Recorded by John of Salisbury in 1159, it emphasizes the importance of building upon the discoveries and knowledge of those who came before us, allowing us to see further and achieve greater understanding.
This adage encapsulates the essence of human progress achieved through transcendental intelligence (TI). TI is our more advanced cultural transmission abilities to describe, record, and share ideas through language and writing. It allows for the accumulation of wisdom, innovation, and progress that transcends the mind. This unique form of human cultural transmission enables us to build upon the knowledge and discoveries of previous generations.
Unlike animals bound to instinctual learning, humans possess transcendental intelligence which allows us to stand on the intellectual shoulders of our predecessors. Through recorded ideas, we transcend the limitations of individual lifespans. This intellectual heritage is the cornerstone of civilization, enabling us to solve complex problems and explore the universe’s mysteries.
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Nothing is better than reading the full story of human thought over the last 5,000 years. This quote was used in chapter 1. As part of the setup, the story of cultural transmission from animals to humans helps setup the full story of human thought.
30 Philosophers: A New Look at Timeless Ideas
humanity’s 80 BEST IDEAS,
and the 30 GIANTS
behind them!
