"Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself"

Alfred North Whitehead’s observation draws a powerful distinction between the inherent nature of animals and the vast potential for self-creation within humankind. God, as creator, brings animals into existence, designing their instincts, behaviors, and essential characteristics. Their paths are set by biology and divine intention; their ways of being are, for the most part, prescribed. By contrast, people are born not as completed beings, but as creatures endowed with the profound capacity to shape their destinies through conscious choice, discipline, and effort.

The phrase “man makes himself” encapsulates the unique human capacity for self-transformation. Accomplishments are not merely external achievements or accolades, but the internal cultivation of virtues, skills, and knowledge. Every person stands at the crossroads of choice: to rise above mere instinct, to strive for wisdom and beauty, to express creativity, and to contribute to the development of civilization. Accomplishments here serve as a metaphor for the heights individuals can reach when they engage in deliberate self-cultivation. It is not Fate but Will that determines the nature of one’s life.

Yet, the alternative Whitehead describes is equally accessible: a life bereft of striving, governed by base appetites and unreflective instincts. Without effort, a person defaults to an existence similar to that of animals, constrained by immediate needs and narrow perspectives. The statement implies a challenge as well as a warning: without intentional effort to pursue growth, one easily regresses into a less developed, even animalistic, state.

Ultimately, Whitehead frames human life as a project of self-creation. While divinity sets the stage for existence, it is human agency that sculpts character and destiny. The responsibility for one’s evolution, or lack thereof, falls squarely on the individual. Through conscious action and development, people rise above their animal inheritance and fulfill the unique potential inherent to humanity.