Tradition is not good simply because it is tradition. It…
““Tradition is not good simply because it is tradition. It is for what it has given us and only so long as an alternative does not prove by its effect that it is better.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Tradition should be evaluated by its outcomes, not its age; it persists only while no superior alternative is demonstrated.
In simple terms: Assess customs by results, not age.
Key Takeaway
Value tradition pragmatically.
Themes
philosophy
political economy
cultural criticism
pragmatism
progressivism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
analytical
Type
maxim
philosophical observation
When to use this quote
- policy reform debates
- organizational change
- cultural preservation discussions
- educational curriculum design
Key Concepts
tradition
evaluation
alternatives
effectiveness
Practical Applications
- policy analysis
- organizational strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a tradition be abandoned?
- How do we measure a tradition’s utility?