Absence Quote by John Dewey
“The difference between play and what is regarded as serious employment should be not a difference between the presence and absence of imagination, but a difference in the materials with which imagination is occupied.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Experience and Education, John Dewey, 1938
Work should involve imagination, but the difference lies in the materials used; serious work uses tangible, practical materials.
In simple terms: Imagination matters, but material matters more.
Key Takeaway
Choose meaningful tools for creative work.
Themes
imagination
material
work
creativity
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- job design
- project planning
- creative industries
Key Concepts
philosophy of education
pragmatism
Questions to Reflect On
- What material can you use to ground your ideas?
- How does your work material affect creativity?
A Different Perspective
Imagination without practical material can be futile.
