Application Quote by Abraham Flexner
“Curiosity, which may or may not eventuate in something useful, is probably the most outstanding characteristic of modern thinking ... Institutions of learning should be devoted to the cultivation of curiosity, and the less they are deflected by the consideration of immediacy of application, the more likely they are to contribute not only to human welfare, but to the equally important satisfaction of intellectual interest, which may indeed be said to have become the ruling passion of intellectual life in modern times.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Flexner Report, 1910
Curiosity drives progress; institutions should nurture it over immediate utility.
In simple terms: Curiosity fuels innovation and deep satisfaction.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize curiosity in learning.
Themes
education
innovation
intellectual curiosity
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research institutions
- curriculum design
- personal development
- policy making
Key Concepts
human welfare
intellectual fulfillment
long term impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How can schools balance curiosity with real-world skills?
- What incentives foster sustained inquiry?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on curiosity may neglect practical needs.
![“At no period of [Michael Faraday's] unmatched career was he interested in utility. He was absorbed in disentangling the riddles of the universe, at first chemical riddles, in later periods, physical riddles. As far as he cared, the question of utility was never raised. Any suspicion of utility…” quote by Abraham Flexner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/127/abraham-flexner-29762_careers_at-no-period-of-michael-faraday-s-unmatc_2311712.jpg)
