What matters is the character of...stereotypes, and the…
““What matters is the character of...stereotypes, and the gullibility with which we employ them. And these in the end depend upon...our philosophy of life. If in that philosophy we assume that the world is codified according to a code which we possess, we are likely to make our reports of what is going on describe a world run by our code. But if our philosophy tells us that each man is only a small part of the world, that his intelligence catches at best only phases and aspects in a coarse net of ideas, then, when we use our stereotypes, we tend to know that they are only stereotypes, to hold them lightly, to modify them gladly. We tend, also, to realize more and more clearly when our ideas started, where they started, how they came to us, why we accepted them. All useful history is antiseptic in this fashion. It enables us to know what fairy tale, what school book, what tradition, what novel, play, picture, phrase, planted one preconception in this mind, another in that mind.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Our worldview shapes how we form and use stereotypes; a humble philosophy sees them as limited, encouraging critical reflection and revision.
In simple terms: Our beliefs affect stereotypes; a modest view makes us question them.
Key Takeaway
Question and revise your assumptions.
Themes
philosophy
critical thinking
stereotypes
humility
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
reflective
critical
When to use this quote
- media analysis
- education
- personal reflection
- policy making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
epistemology
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your assumptions influence your judgments?
- When should you trust a stereotype?
A Different Perspective
Overly relativistic views may paralyze decisive action.