A thing is important if anyone think it important.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Something matters only if people consider it important.
- In plain terms
- Importance is defined by collective belief.
- What can you take from it?
- Acknowledge the role of perception in value.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does this imply for truth?
- How do you handle ignored importance?
Another view
Objective facts can retain importance regardless of belief.
More from William James
A purely disembodied human emotion is a nonentity.
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