What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
Every fool believes what his teachers tell him, and calls his credulity science or morality as confidently as his father called it divine revelation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Blind acceptance of ideas from authority figures can lead to misguided beliefs.
In this quote, George Bernard Shaw criticizes the tendency of individuals to uncritically accept teachings from their educators or authoritative figures. He suggests that many people equate their unquestioning faith in these teachings with higher truths, such as moral or scientific principles, just as they might accept their parents' beliefs as divine truth. This highlights the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in education and belief systems.
Themes
EducationBeliefCritical ThinkingAuthorityScienceMorality
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom discussion on critical thinking, a teacher might use this quote to encourage students to question what they are taught.
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Forgive him, for he believes that the customs of his tribe are the laws of nature!
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The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
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