This belief suggests that human beings have an infinite capacity for improvement, both intellectually and morally, across generations. It conveys a strong sense of optimism about humanity's future, envisioning continuous progress towards a better state.
Quote by Marquis de Condorcet: “The perfectibility of man is boundless.”
Insight
Historical Context
Condorcet wrote this while in hiding during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, shortly before his death. His 'Sketch for a Historical Picture of the Progress of the Human Mind' was a testament to his unwavering faith in reason and human advancement.
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French mathematician, philosopher, and political scientist who was a leading figure of the late Enlightenment. His Sketch for a Historical Picture of the Progress of the Human Mind, written while in hiding from the Revolutionary authorities, is a landmark of progressive thought.
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