--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The routine of custom tends to deaden…" description: "\"The routine of custom tends to deaden even scientific inquiry; it stands in the way of discovery and of the active scientific worker. For discovery and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/john-dewey-545_active_the-routine-of-custom-tends-to-deaden-ev_463274.png" --- # The routine of custom tends to deaden even scientific… ![“The routine of custom tends to deaden even scientific inquiry; it stands in the way of discovery and of the active scientific worker. For discovery and inquiry are synonymous as an occupation. Science is a pursuit, not a coming into possession of the immutable; new theories as points of view are…” quote by John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/john-dewey-545_active_the-routine-of-custom-tends-to-deaden-ev_463274.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/john-dewey-545_active_the-routine-of-custom-tends-to-deaden-ev_463274.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/john-dewey-545_active_the-routine-of-custom-tends-to-deaden-ev_463274.png) > “The routine of custom tends to deaden even scientific inquiry; it stands in the way of discovery and of the active scientific worker. For discovery and inquiry are synonymous as an occupation. Science is a pursuit, not a coming into possession of the immutable; new theories as points of view are more prized than discoveries that quantitatively increase the store on hand.” [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that rigid customs hinder scientific progress, urging scientists to view theories as perspectives rather than fixed truths. **In simple terms:** Customs block new ideas; science should stay flexible. Key Takeaway Embrace curiosity and question tradition. Themes science innovation tradition Mood analytical reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - research labs - academic conferences - policy making Key Concepts paradigm shifts critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What customs limit your field? - How can you foster openness in research? A Different Perspective Overlooks the value of established methods. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Customs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customs/) [Discoveries Quantitatively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discoveries-quantitatively-4019425/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Increase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/increase/) [Inquiry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inquiry/) [Occupation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupation/) [Occupation Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupation-science-4019424/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Routine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/routine/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientific Inquiry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-inquiry-1217600/) [Scientific Worker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-worker-2041461/) [Stores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stores/) [Synonymous Occupation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/synonymous-occupation-4019426/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Workers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workers/) ## Related quotes > [That the great majority of those who leave school should have some idea of the kind of evidence required to substantiate given types of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/that-the-great-majority-of-those-who-leave-school-should-have-some/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The whole thrust of yogic philosophical and scientific inquiry has therefore been to examine the nature of being, with a view to learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-k-s-iyengar/the-whole-thrust-of-yogic-philosophical-and-scientific-inquiry-has/) [B.K.S. 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