Accurate Quote by Margaret Benson
“... all progress in knowledge takes place through the correction of that which has been received on authority ... without the huge body of traditional knowledge, accurate and inaccurate together, there would be nothing even to correct. Progress is not made in spite of authority, but by means of it.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of Authority in Knowledge Development, 19th century
Knowledge advances by correcting received ideas; authority provides the material to be refined, not an obstacle.
In simple terms: Progress comes from fixing what we inherit.
Key Takeaway
Use authority as a tool for improvement.
Themes
knowledge
authority
progress
correction
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- education reform
- science
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance respect for tradition with innovation?
- When should you challenge established ideas?
A Different Perspective
Authority can also perpetuate errors if not questioned.
![“He [Groucho's father] had absolutely no training, and if you had ever seen one of his suits, you'd realize what an accurate statement that is. You see, Pop never used a tape measure. He didn't believe in it. He said he could just look at a man and tell hi.” quote by Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/02f/groucho-marx-788_accurate_he-groucho-s-father-had-absolutely-no-tr_22161.jpg)
