My father had retained an emotional affection for the ceremonial of his parental home, without allowing it to influence his intellectual freedom
Franz BoasRead
It is our task to inquire into the causes that have brought about the observed differentiation, and to investigate the sequence of events that have led to the establishment of the multifarious forms of human life
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural factors that shape human diversity.
Franz Boas advocates for a thorough examination of the reasons behind the various forms of human life and their development over time. By investigating the causes and sequences of events leading to human differentiation, we gain insights into the complexities of culture and identity, highlighting the significance of context in understanding humanity as a whole.
Themes
Human LifeDifferentiationCausesCultureHistory
In practice
Example use cases
During an academic lecture on anthropology, this quote can serve to emphasize the significance of cultural history.
More from Franz Boas
All quotes →There is no fundamental difference in the ways of thinking of primitive and civilized man. A close connection between race and personality has never been established.
Franz BoasRead
Similar quotes
I tell my children what I think myself: That religion is not necessarily convincing, but it is still interesting and not to be laughed at or denigrated.
Alain De BottonRead
As soon as we identify ourselves with the work we do, we feel miserable; but if we do not identify ourselves with it, we do not feel that misery.
Swami VivekanandaRead
An idea's birth is legitimate if one has the feeling that one is catching oneself plagiarizing oneself.
Karl KrausRead
It's a lucky man, a very lucky man, who is committed to what he believes, who has stifled intellectual detachment and can relax in the luxury of his emotions - like a tipsy traveller resting for the night at wayside inn.
Alexander PushkinRead
Imprisoning philosophy within the professionalizations and specializations of an institutionalized curriculum, after the manner of our contemporary European and North American culture, is arguably a good deal more effective in neutralizing its effects than either religious censorship or political terror
Alasdair MacintyreRead
We always plan too much and always think too little.
Joseph A. SchumpeterRead