"From the naturalistic point of view, all men are equal. There are only two exceptions to this rule of naturalistic equality: geniuses and idiots"
- Mikhail Bakunin
About this Quote
In this quote, Mikhail Bakunin is revealing his belief in naturalistic equality amongst all humans. He argues that from a naturalistic point of view, there is no fundamental distinction in between individuals and all are equal. However, he acknowledges two exceptions to this rule: geniuses and morons. These 2 groups are seen as exceptions due to the fact that they have either extraordinary intelligence or an extreme absence of it. Bakunin's statement suggests that these exceptions do not fit into the traditional social hierarchy and challenge the concept of naturalistic equality. In general, this quote highlights the intricacies of human nature and the constraints of trying to classify people based on their abilities.
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