"Amongst the minds of animals that of man leads, not as a demigod from another planet, but as a king from the same race"

Edward Thorndike was a popular psychologist whose work mainly concentrated on comparative psychology and the finding out procedures in animals and people. This quote recommends a point of view on human intelligence and its location within the animal kingdom. Thorndike's reflection emphasizes that while human cognition and thinking are advanced than those of other animals, this supremacy does not raise people to a practically divine status separate from the natural world. Instead, human beings occupy a management position as a "king", however basically come from the same continuum of life.

Thorndike clearly challenges the concept that humans possess minds comparable to those of demigods, indicating a fundamental separation from other animals. By mentioning that human beings are not "demigods from another planet", he worries that our cognitive abilities, though advanced, are still rooted in the same evolutionary processes that shaped all animal life in the world. This perspective aligns with the broader scientific understanding of evolution, which positions people within the exact same biological and ecological structures as other types.

The metaphor of a "king from the very same race" reinforces the idea of continuity and shared origin. A king, while holding a position of authority and difference, belongs to the same lineage, community, or species as those over whom he rules. Hence, Thorndike suggests that human supremacy in cognitive abilities must not lead to alienation or estrangement from other types of life, however must rather cultivate a sense of responsibility and stewardship.

Eventually, this quote invites a reflection on the relationship between humans and other animals, advocating for a gratitude of the kinship shared among all living beings. Thorndike's insight encourages a balance of acknowledging human intellectual developments while maintaining humbleness and respect for the natural world, cultivating a sense of unity with, rather than separation from, the animal kingdom.