All men are intellectuals: but not all men have in society the function of intellectuals.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Everyone has intellectual capacities, but society assigns specific roles to some as professional intellectuals.
- In plain terms
- Everyone can think deeply, but not everyone acts as a public thinker.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize intellectual potential in all people.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who gets labeled an intellectual and why?
- How can we broaden intellectual participation?
Another view
Social barriers often prevent many from exercising intellectual functions.
More from Antonio Gramsci
I'm a pessimist because of intelligence, but an optimist because of will.
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