At any given period in history the ideas of the common…
“At any given period in history the ideas of the common mind are found to antedate the facts. The facts of the twentieth century are approached with the ideas, feelings, prejudices of the tenth.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ideas often precede facts; society interprets new data through outdated lenses.
In simple terms: Old ideas shape new facts.
Update our thinking with current evidence.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- media analysis
- scientific research
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What current ideas need re‑evaluation?
- How do biases affect our interpretation of new information?
Changing entrenched mindsets is slow and resistant.