Progress is possible only if we train ourselves to think about programs without thinking of them as pieces of executable code.
Edsger DijkstraRead
It is not the task of the University to offer what society asks for, but to give what society needs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Universities should focus on meeting the essential needs of society rather than merely fulfilling popular demands.
Edsger Dijkstra's quote emphasizes the vital responsibility of universities to prioritize the foundational needs of society over the fleeting preferences of the public. This perspective suggests that educational institutions should strive to cultivate knowledge, critical thinking, and innovation that truly benefit society, rather than simply catering to trends or immediate requests that may not serve the greater good.
Themes
EducationSocietyUniversityNeedInnovation
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to highlight the role of universities in shaping societal progress.
More from Edsger Dijkstra
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The purpose of abstraction is not to be vague, but to create a new semantic level in which one can be absolutely precise.
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We shall do a much better programming job, provided that we approach the task with a full appreciation of its tremendous difficulty, provided that we stick to modest and elegant programming languages, provided that we respect the intrinsic limitations of the human mind and approach the task as Very Humble Programmers.
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The tools we use have a profound and devious influence on our thinking habits, and therefore on our thinking abilities.
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LISP has jokingly been described as "the most intelligent way to misuse a computer." I think that description is a great compliment because it transmits the full flavour of liberation: it has assisted a number of our most gifted fellow humans in thinking previously impossible thoughts.
Edsger DijkstraRead
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