"The tendency of philosophers who know nothing of machinery is to talk of man as a mere mechanism, intending by this to imply that he is without purpose. This shows a lack of understanding of machines as well as of man"

Arthur Young's quote delves into the philosophical argument surrounding the nature of human presence, comparing it to the functions of equipment. At the core of his statement is a critique of a particular philosophical propensity: to reduce human beings to mere mechanisms, without function or intrinsic worth. This point of view often emerges from a mechanistic worldview, where whatever, consisting of human behavior and awareness, is seen through the lens of physical processes and mechanical laws.

Young suggests that philosophers who adopt this view may not completely comprehend the complexity and nuances of either devices or human beings. By corresponding people to makers, they might inadvertently remove away the aspects of purpose, objective, and consciousness that are essential to the human experience. In doing so, they also expose a shallow understanding of equipment. While makers are indeed constructed and run based on physical laws, they are also purposeful tools created with specific intentions. Therefore, to see them as devoid of purpose misrepresents their nature. Machines, while mechanical, serve functions and are crafted with goals in mind, whether it's to help with interaction, transport, or any plethora of jobs.

Young underscores the concept that reducing people to mechanistic entities dismisses the complexity of human purpose, awareness, and intentionality. His assertion suggests that both people and machines have purposeful presence, albeit in different methods. People are driven by intricate motives, feelings, and self-awareness that makers inherently lack. Meanwhile, the functionality and purpose of machines develop from the objectives bought them by their developers.

For that reason, Young's quote invites us to review the interplay between system and function, advising us not to oversimplify the nature of human existence within a mechanistic structure. Both human beings and devices can be seen as structured and lawful, yet complex and purpose-driven, embodying more than mere mechanical interactions.