“Was man indeed, as he sometimes desired to be, the growing point of the cosmical spirit, in its temporal aspect at least? Or was he one of many million growing points? Or was mankind of no more importance in the universal view than rats in a cathedral? And again, was man’s true function power, or wisdom, or love, or worship, or all of all these? Or was the idea of function, of purpose, meaningless in relation to the cosmos? These grave questions I would answer.”

—  Olaf Stapledon, book Star Maker

Source: Star Maker (1937), Chapter II: Interstellar Travel (pp. 17-18)

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Olaf Stapledon113
British novelist and philosopher 1886–1950

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