--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Civilization as well as education takes a…" description: "\"“Civilization as well as education takes a downward spiral when it ceases to ask \"What is truth?\" and concerns itself primarily with what is measurable..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/katherine-paterson-2365_downward-spiral_civilization-as-well-as-education-takes_3057667.png" --- # Civilization as well as education takes a downward spiral… ![“Civilization as well as education takes a downward spiral when it ceases to ask "What is truth?" and concerns itself primarily with what is measurable.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/katherine-paterson-2365_downward-spiral_civilization-as-well-as-education-takes_3057667.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/katherine-paterson-2365_downward-spiral_civilization-as-well-as-education-takes_3057667.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/katherine-paterson-2365_downward-spiral_civilization-as-well-as-education-takes_3057667.png) > ““Civilization as well as education takes a downward spiral when it ceases to ask "What is truth?" and concerns itself primarily with what is measurable.”” [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When societies stop questioning truth and focus only on measurable outcomes, both culture and education decline. **In simple terms:** Ignoring truth harms civilization and education. Key Takeaway Question truth, not just data. Themes education truth civilization critical thinking Mood thoughtful concerned Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - school curricula - research funding - policy making - media reporting Key Concepts epistemology societal decay Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance measurable results with deeper truths? - What truths are we overlooking? A Different Perspective Truth is hard to quantify, leading to resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Downward spiral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downward-spiral/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [The wise use of leisure, it must be conceded, is a product of civilization and education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-wise-use-of-leisure-it-must-be-conceded-is-a-product-of/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“That’s our civilization and our education: bring up the masses to depend entirely on spending money, and then the money gives out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/that-s-our-civilization-and-our-education-bring-up-the-masses-to/) [D.H. 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