"Glory to Man in the highest! For Man is the master of things"
- Algernon Charles Swinburne
About this Quote
Algernon Charles Swinburne's quote "Glory to Man in the greatest! For Man is the master of things" encapsulates a strong assertion of humanism, commemorating mankind's capacity for proficiency and control over the world. This expression glorifies human accomplishment and reflects the optimism of the Victorian era concerning human development, science, and factor.
The phrase "Glory to Man in the greatest" echoes standard spiritual language, usually booked for divine reverence. Swinburne's appropriation of such language for humanity recommends a shift from the divine to the human as the primary focus of praise and veneration. This mirrors the zeitgeist of the late 19th century, a duration defined by rapid clinical developments and decreasing reliance on religious explanations of the universe. The commercial revolution and Darwinian theories added to a growing belief in human capability and factor.
"For Man is the master of things" highlights the concept that human beings have gained rule over the natural world through intelligence and technological development. During Swinburne's time, there was terrific confidence in mankind's power to comprehend, control, and control the environment. This concept of mastery shows both an empowering narrative of human prospective and a particular anthropocentric hubris, suggesting that humans can overcoming all difficulties through will and intelligence.
Nevertheless, this statement can also be translated through a crucial lens, particularly in contemporary times. It functions as a suggestion of the duties that include such proficiency. The consequences of technological progress, such as ecological degradation and ethical dilemmas, welcome reflection on whether such proficiency is sustainable or ethical.
In essence, Swinburne's declaration is both an exaltation of human prospective and a call to recognize the extensive obligations accompanying human dominion. The celebration of human ability stands as a monolith to human achievement while all at once inviting reflection on the more comprehensive implications of such power.
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