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Full Idea
To suppose that lakes and rivers, and whatsoever else is of a nature to be useful to us, are gods surpasses the height of lunacy.
Gist of Idea
It is mad to think that what is useful to us, like lakes and rivers, are gods
Source
Sextus Empiricus (Against the Physicists (two books) [c.180], I.040)
Book Ref
Sextus Empiricus: 'Against the Physicists/Against the Ethicists', ed/tr. Bury,R.G. [Harvard Loeb 1997], p.23
A Reaction
He also points out the what is useful to us decays and changes. Sextus lived in a time when monotheism was becoming dominant.
21265 | The heavens must be full of gods, controlling nature either externally or from within [Plato] |
22731 | It is mad to think that what is useful to us, like lakes and rivers, are gods [Sext.Empiricus] |
20664 | Animism is belief that every part of nature is aware and feeling, and can communicate [Harari] |