The ideas of a time are like the clothes of a season: they are as arbitrary, as much imposed by some superior will which is seldom explicit. They are utilitarian and political, the instruments of smooth-running government.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ideas prevalent in a time are often imposed and serve political or governmental purposes rather than being organic.
- In plain terms
- Common ideas of any era are often forced by leaders and used to run government smoothly.
- What can you take from it?
- Dominant ideas often serve power structures more than truth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What ideas dominate your current culture?
- Who benefits from prevailing ideas?
Another view
Some ideas arise organically from grassroots movements.
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