Advancement Quote by J. H. Hexter
“If physicists could not quote in the text, they would not feel that much was lost with respect to advancement of knowledge of the natural world. If historians could not quote, they would deem it a disastrous impediment to the communication of knowledge about the past. A luxury for physicists, quotation is a necessity for historians, indispensable to historiography.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of Quotation in Scholarly Practice, J. H. Hexter, 1970
Quotation is essential for historians to convey sources, while physicists can often progress without it, reflecting differing epistemic cultures.
In simple terms: Historians need quotes; physicists can work without.
Key Takeaway
Recognize discipline‑specific citation needs.
Themes
historiography
epistemology
disciplinary method
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
academic
explanatory
When to use this quote
- writing academic papers
- teaching history
- conducting scientific research
- publishing findings
Key Concepts
source attribution
knowledge transmission
scholarly communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How does citation shape authority in different fields?
- Should all disciplines adopt stricter source‑citation standards?
A Different Perspective
Physicists may still benefit from quotations for clarity and credibility.
