Achievement Quote by John Carroll
“Modern anthropology ... opposes the utilitarian assumption that the primitive chants as he sows seed because he believes that otherwise it will not grow, the assumption that his economic goal is primary, and his other activities are instrumental to it. The planting and the cultivating are no less important than the finished product. Life is not conceived as a linear progression directed to, and justified by, the achievement of a series of goals; it is a cycle in which ends cannot be isolated, one which cannot be dissected into a series of ends and means.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that human activity is cyclical and interconnected, rejecting a linear, goal‑oriented view that treats means as merely instrumental to ends.
In simple terms: Life is a cycle, not a goal‑driven line.
Key Takeaway
Ends and means are inseparable.
Themes
Holism
Anthropology
Cyclical time
Critique of utilitarianism
Process philosophy
Mood
Reflective
Contemplative
Critical
Type
Philosophical
Anthropological
Critical
When to use this quote
- Analyzing indigenous rituals
- Designing sustainable economies
- Teaching interdisciplinary studies
Key Concepts
Interdependence
Non‑linear causality
Cultural relativism
Practical Applications
- Developing curricula that emphasize process over product
- Creating policies that recognize cultural practices as integral, not peripheral
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing actions as part of a cycle change our evaluation of success?
- What implications does this have for modern economic models?
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