Quote by W. Winwood Reade
The philosophic spirit of inquiry may be traced to brute curiosity, and that to the habit of examining all things in search of food.
Summary
This quote suggests that the root of philosophical inquiry can be traced back to our inherent curiosity, which was originally motivated by the need to find sustenance. In other words, our instinct to explore and examine the world around us originated from our ancestors' necessity to search for food. Over time, this basic curiosity evolved into a deeper philosophical mindset of questioning and seeking knowledge about various aspects of existence. Therefore, the quote highlights the connection between our most fundamental survival instincts and the development of the philosophic spirit.