"If we look into ourselves we discover propensities which declare that our intellects have arisen from a lower form; could our minds be made visible we should find them tailed"

William Winwood Reade, a 19th-century historian and philosopher, crafted this thought-provoking statement in his exploration of human development and the advancement of intelligence. In essence, Reade proposes that self-reflection exposes innate propensities that recommend our intellectual development from easier, more primitive types of life. The expression "if we check out ourselves" welcomes self-questioning, motivating us to take a look at the intrinsic attributes and instincts that are often remnants of our evolutionary past.

Reade's reference of "propensities" likely describes the instinctual behaviors and cognitive predispositions that appear irrational or primitive in the context of contemporary human society. These propensities may consist of psychological reactions such as worry, aggression, or territoriality, which were useful to our ancestors in survival contexts but can appear out of place in existing civilized settings. By acknowledging these characteristics, Reade presumes that they highlight our ascent from more basic organisms, showing a shared lineage in the tree of life.

The metaphor "might our minds be made visible we need to discover them tailed" further underscores this evolutionary point of view. Here, the "tail" functions as a sign of our primal origins, stimulating the image of a physical remnant from our ancestors who had real tails. This images indicates that our psychological faculties still bring vestiges of our evolutionary journey, even if they are not as overtly visible as physical characteristics might be. Reade's choice to highlight a "noticeable" transformation highlights the subtlety with which these primitive influences persist within our minds.

Eventually, Reade's quote challenges us to embrace a humbling perspective: despite our advanced cognitive abilities, we are not different from the natural world but are deeply linked with its history. This recommendation may encourage humbleness and a higher gratitude for the continuous, detailed process of evolution that has actually formed not only our bodies however likewise our intelligences and habits.