Defined Quote by Leslie Stephen
“Philistine - a word which I understand properly to denote indifference to the higher intellectual interests. The word may also be defined, however, as the name applied by prigs to the rest of their species.”
About This Quote
The term “Philistine” describes a lack of appreciation for high culture, and is also used by elitists to label others.
In simple terms: Philistine means being indifferent to intellectual pursuits.
Key Takeaway
Beware of dismissive labels.
Themes
culture
elitism
language
identity
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- social media commentary
- education policy
Key Concepts
cultural criticism
semantic shift
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions underlie the use of “Philistine”?
- How does labeling affect dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Labels can oversimplify complex individuals.
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
