...if use is not an appropriate criterion for decision…
“...if use is not an appropriate criterion for decision making in the academic life, what is? Love. ...The virtues of love as a criterion for choosing a college major...it is not pretentious. "Use" is pretentious because it claims to know something about the future that it doesn't really know. Love is immediate... [love] guarantees that you will work to your highest potential...it is part of who you are, and not just something you think, often wrongly, that you can use.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love, not utilitarian criteria, should guide major choices because it aligns with personal identity and motivation.
In simple terms: Love guides choices better than utility.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize love over practicality in major selection.
Themes
education
psychology
career
values
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- college counseling
- career workshops
- personal reflection
- mentor meetings
Key Concepts
love
motivation
identity
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- How does love interact with market demands?
- Can love be misinterpreted?
A Different Perspective
Love may overlook practical constraints.