And our resistance against changing our habits of thought…
““And our resistance against changing our habits of thought is immense and unrelenting. If we try, briefly, we find it ass vexing and unrewarding as writing a letter with the left hand. What we are used to is comfortable; what is comfortable is good; and what is good is right - this is the unspoken belief of almost all people everywhere. When a scientist, however, tackles a problem that has hitherto seemed insoluble, he abandons all his preconceptions, and all the preconceptions of the past. Only when he begins to question the basic assumptions he has always held can he make an utterly fresh start, unencumbered by the intellectual baggage of the past.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Changing entrenched thought habits is hard; scientists must discard old assumptions to achieve breakthroughs.
In simple terms: Breaking mental habits enables fresh insight.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions regularly.
Themes
innovation
cognitive flexibility
scientific method
Mood
challenging
inspirational
Type
science
philosophy
When to use this quote
- research projects
- problem solving
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
paradigm shift
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions limit your work?
- How to encourage doubt in teams?
A Different Perspective
Old habits can persist despite evidence.