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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.” quote by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
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“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.”

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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Ideas often precede facts; society interprets new data through outdated lenses.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.

Key Takeaway

Update our thinking with current evidence.

Themes

history ideas bias

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • education
  • media analysis
  • scientific research

Key Concepts

sociology epistemology progressivism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What current ideas need re‑evaluation?
  • How do biases affect our interpretation of new information?
A Different Perspective

Changing entrenched mindsets is slow and resistant.

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