Meaning: This quote by Aldous Huxley, the renowned English novelist, reflects a profound insight into the limitations of human learning and understanding. Huxley suggests that both personal experience and recorded history are filtered through the lens of individual passions and metaphysical prejudices, shaping what individuals are willing and able to learn. In essence, he argues that our ability to learn and grow is constrained by the subjective filters of our emotions and beliefs.

Huxley's assertion that individuals learn only what their passions and metaphysical prejudices allow them to learn implies that human perception and comprehension are inherently biased. This bias can be attributed to the influence of emotions and deeply ingrained philosophical or religious beliefs that color the way individuals interpret and assimilate new information. In this context, "metaphysical prejudices" may refer to the underlying assumptions and preconceptions that individuals hold about the nature of reality, the existence of God, the afterlife, or other fundamental aspects of existence. These deeply held beliefs can act as filters, shaping the way individuals perceive and interpret new knowledge, ultimately limiting their capacity for genuine understanding and growth.

Furthermore, Huxley's assertion can be seen as a commentary on the selective nature of human learning. He suggests that individuals tend to gravitate towards information that aligns with their existing beliefs and passions, while rejecting or dismissing knowledge that contradicts or challenges their preconceived notions. This selective approach to learning can lead to a narrow and biased understanding of the world, hindering the capacity for open-minded inquiry and genuine intellectual growth.

The reference to "recorded experience of others (history)" in the quote underscores the idea that even collective human knowledge, as documented in historical records, is subject to the same limitations imposed by passions and metaphysical prejudices. Huxley's assertion implies that the interpretation and understanding of historical events are not immune to the influence of subjective biases and preconceived notions. As a result, the lessons gleaned from history may be distorted or incomplete, shaped by the perspectives and agendas of those who recorded and interpreted these events.

In essence, Huxley's quote prompts us to reflect on the ways in which our emotions and deeply held beliefs can act as barriers to genuine understanding and learning. It challenges us to recognize the limitations of our own perspectives and biases, urging us to approach knowledge and experience with a critical and open-minded stance. By acknowledging the impact of our passions and metaphysical prejudices on our capacity to learn, we can strive to cultivate a more nuanced and inclusive approach to knowledge acquisition, one that transcends personal biases and embraces a broader, more comprehensive understanding of the world.

In conclusion, Aldous Huxley's quote offers a thought-provoking commentary on the limitations of human learning, suggesting that our capacity to understand and grow is inherently influenced by our passions and metaphysical prejudices. By acknowledging and transcending these limitations, we can strive to cultivate a more open-minded and inclusive approach to knowledge acquisition, enriching our understanding of the world and fostering genuine intellectual growth.