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There was someone called Hippasus in Greek times who found…

“There was someone called Hippasus in Greek times who found out about the diagonal of a square and they drowned him because no one wanted to know about things like that. Like what? Numbers that make you uncomfortable and don’t relate to oranges.” quote by Caryl Churchill
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““There was someone called Hippasus in Greek times who found out about the diagonal of a square and they drowned him because no one wanted to know about things like that. Like what? Numbers that make you uncomfortable and don’t relate to oranges.””

Caryl Churchill

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Highlights how society suppresses uncomfortable truths, using the myth of Hippasus to illustrate fear of disruptive ideas.

In simple terms: Society drowns unsettling knowledge.

Key Takeaway

Challenge suppression of ideas.

Themes

censorship truth suppression intellectual freedom

Mood

critical provocative

Type

theatrical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • scientific research
  • artistic expression
  • public policy

Key Concepts

philosophical paradox mathematical discovery cultural resistance

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do people resist uncomfortable facts?
  • How can societies protect radical thinkers?
A Different Perspective

Fear of the unknown can stall progress.

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