Art Quote by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
“In the case of all other sciences, arts, skills, and crafts, everyone is convinced that a complex and laborious programme of learning and practice is necessary for competence. Yet when it comes to philosophy, there seems to be a currently prevailing prejudice to the effect that, although not everyone who has eyes and fingers, and is given leather and last, is at once in a position to make shoes, everyone nevertheless immediately understands how to philosophize.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Phenomenology of Spirit, G.W.F. Hegel, 1807
Philosophy is often assumed to be instantly graspable, unlike other fields that require extensive training.
In simple terms: People think philosophy is easy to learn.
Question assumptions about learning philosophy.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- University courses
- self‑study
- public lectures
- online forums
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think philosophy can be self‑taught?
- What barriers exist to learning philosophy?
Not all philosophical insight is immediate; depth requires study.