Accepted Quote by Norbert Elias
“Scientific modes of thought cannot be developed and become generally accepted unless people renounce their primary, unreflecting, and spontaneous attempt to understand all their experience in terms of its purpose and meaning for themselves. The development that led to more adequate knowledge and increasing control of nature was therefore, considered from one aspect, also a development toward greater self-control by men.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Civilizing Process, Norbert Elias, 1939
Scientific thinking requires abandoning self‑centered, purpose‑seeking interpretations of experience, leading to greater self‑control and mastery over nature.
In simple terms: Science needs us to drop personal meaning‑making to gain control.
Key Takeaway
Embrace objective analysis for personal mastery.
Themes
science
self‑control
knowledge
human nature
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- personal development
- environmental management
Key Concepts
epistemology
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does removing personal purpose affect understanding?
- When is self‑control more important than curiosity?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on objectivity can ignore valuable subjective insights.
![“The progressive development of man [has as its] ultimate purpose the complete mastery of mind over the material world.” quote by Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f65/nikola-tesla-1383_development_the-progressive-development-of-man-has-a_2411808.jpg)
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
