“Upon the creatures we have made, we are, ourselves, at last, dependent.”
- August 28, 1749 – March 22, 1832
- German
- Poet, playwright, novelist, philosopher, politician
- His literary works “Faust” and “The Sorrows of Young Werther” had a major impact on world literature.
Quote
“Upon the creatures we have made, we are, ourselves, at last, dependent.”
Explanation
Goethe reflects on the idea that, despite our ability to create and shape the world around us—through technology, innovation, and societal structures—ultimately, we become dependent on the very things we have created. Whether it is the machines that facilitate our lives, the systems of governance that guide us, or the societal roles we’ve established, humans end up relying on the products of their own invention. This dependency may be seen as a double-edged sword: while these creations provide us with convenience and progress, they also make us vulnerable, as we become tied to them.
Historically, this idea speaks to the growing sense of human responsibility during Goethe’s time, particularly with the rise of industrialization and technological innovation. The more we harness nature and develop systems to support society, the more we become reliant on those very systems. Goethe seems to caution that our progress, while impressive, also comes with consequences and potential vulnerability, as we lose touch with self-sufficiency and become entangled in the web of our own creations.
In modern contexts, this idea remains highly relevant in discussions about technology, environmental impact, and global interdependence. Today, we are deeply reliant on technological advancements—from the internet to artificial intelligence—yet these same technologies raise concerns about automation, privacy, and the loss of human agency. Similarly, our globalized society makes us dependent on systems and industries (like energy, transportation, and food production) that are often outside our immediate control, creating a vulnerability to shifts or crises in those areas.
Goethe’s words remind us to be mindful of the balance between creation and dependency. While our inventions and innovations have brought great progress, we must also recognize the responsibility that comes with them and consider how our growing reliance on these systems might impact our autonomy and well-being in the future.
