--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The dialectical critique of positivist…" description: "\"The dialectical critique of positivist habits of mind ... is interested only in behaviour which is 'important' to the actor; that is, behaviour which i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f6/john-carroll-16284_actors_the-dialectical-critique-of-positivist-h_2905781.jpg" --- # The dialectical critique of positivist habits of mind… ![“The dialectical critique of positivist habits of mind ... is interested only in behaviour which is 'important' to the actor; that is, behaviour which is emotionally charged to the degree that it is either frequently recalled, reflected upon, or day-dreamed about. ... That science which is less…” quote by John Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f6/john-carroll-16284_actors_the-dialectical-critique-of-positivist-h_2905781.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f6/john-carroll-16284_actors_the-dialectical-critique-of-positivist-h_2905781.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f6/john-carroll-16284_actors_the-dialectical-critique-of-positivist-h_2905781.jpg) > “The dialectical critique of positivist habits of mind ... is interested only in behaviour which is 'important' to the actor; that is, behaviour which is emotionally charged to the degree that it is either frequently recalled, reflected upon, or day-dreamed about. ... That science which is less discriminating in the behaviour it chooses to investigate gains clarity and distinctiveness at the cost of confining itself to the trivial.” [John Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carroll/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science should focus on emotionally charged, significant behaviors rather than trivial ones. **In simple terms:** Prioritize meaningful, emotionally significant behavior. Key Takeaway Study what truly matters to people. Themes research focus emotional relevance positivism critique Mood analytical critical Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - psychology research - social science - policy analysis Key Concepts dialectical method behavioral significance Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify emotionally charged behavior? - What are the risks of ignoring trivial data? A Different Perspective May neglect objective data. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Behaviour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behaviour/) [Clarity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity/) [Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critique/) [Dialectical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dialectical/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Habits of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits-of-mind/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [We need a repeated discipline, a genuine training, in order to let go of our old habits of mind and to find and sustain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-need-a-repeated-discipline-a-genuine-training-in-order-to-let-go/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [I think we acquire habits of mind when we're little, and I lived in the future because I was always imagining being a grown-up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/i-think-we-acquire-habits-of-mind-when-we-re-little-and-i-lived-in/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“And the reason everyone doesn’t use Listp is that programming languages are not merely technologies, but habits of mind as well, and nothing changes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-graham/and-the-reason-everyone-doesn-t-use-listp-is-that-programming/) [Paul Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-graham/) > [“When people learn no tools of judgment and merely follow their hopes, the seeds of political manipulation are sown.”11 As individuals and as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gilovich/when-people-learn-no-tools-of-judgment-and-merely-follow-their-hopes-2/) [Thomas Gilovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gilovich/) > [Good judges develop certain habits of mind. 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