--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An intrinsic problem, similar to the one…" description: "\"“An intrinsic problem, similar to the one we discussed in connection with tradition in general, presents itself with the process of transmission of the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/peter-l-berger-8474_day-life_an-intrinsic-problem-similar-to-the-one_1040701.png" --- # An intrinsic problem, similar to the one we discussed in… ![“An intrinsic problem, similar to the one we discussed in connection with tradition in general, presents itself with the process of transmission of the symbolic universe from one generation to another. Socialization is never completely successful. Some individuals “inhabit” the transmitted universe…” quote by Peter L. Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/peter-l-berger-8474_day-life_an-intrinsic-problem-similar-to-the-one_1040701.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/peter-l-berger-8474_day-life_an-intrinsic-problem-similar-to-the-one_1040701.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/peter-l-berger-8474_day-life_an-intrinsic-problem-similar-to-the-one_1040701.png) > ““An intrinsic problem, similar to the one we discussed in connection with tradition in general, presents itself with the process of transmission of the symbolic universe from one generation to another. Socialization is never completely successful. Some individuals “inhabit” the transmitted universe more definitely than others. Even among the more or less accredited “inhabitants,” there will always be idiosyncratic variations in the way they conceive of the universe. Precisely because the symbolic universe cannot be experienced as such in everyday life, but transcends the latter by its very nature, it is not possible to “teach” its meaning in the straightforward manner in which one can teach the meanings of everyday life. Children’s questions about the symbolic universe have to be answered in a more complicated way than their questions about the institutional realities of everyday life. The questions of idiosyncratic adults require further conceptual elaboration. In the previous example, the meaning of cousinhood is continually represented by flesh-and-blood cousins playing cousin roles in the experienced routines of everyday life. Human cousins are empirically available. Divine cousins, alas, are not. This constitutes an intrinsic problem for the pedagogues of divine cousinhood. Mutatis mutandis, the same is true of the transmission of other symbolic universes.”” [Peter L. Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-berger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Transmitting cultural symbols across generations is imperfect; individuals interpret them uniquely, making teaching abstract concepts difficult. **In simple terms:** Cultural ideas are passed down but understood differently by each person. Key Takeaway Accept and address diverse interpretations. Themes culture education symbolism Mood thoughtful analytical Type theoretical educational When to use this quote - schools - family traditions - religious instruction Key Concepts socialization interpretation generational transmission Questions to Reflect On - How can educators honor individual perspectives? - What methods help bridge abstract ideas and everyday experience? A Different Perspective Uniform teaching cannot capture personal nuances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Day life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day-life/) [Divine Cousinhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine-cousinhood-2431142/) [Everyday life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everyday-life/) [Intrinsic Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intrinsic-problem-2431144/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Symbolic Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbolic-universe-625352/) [Symbolic Universes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbolic-universes-2431141/) [Transmission Symbolic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transmission-symbolic-2431143/) ## Related quotes > [“It is in the legitimation of death that the transcending potency of symbolic universes manifests itself most clearly, and the fundamental terror-assuaging character of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-berger/it-is-in-the-legitimation-of-death-that-the-transcending-potency-of/) [Peter L. 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But the weak and strong forces are beyond our ordinary experience. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-witten/as-for-the-forces-electromagnetism-and-gravity-we-experience-in/) [Edward Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-witten/) > [“Let’s say you have an ax. Just a cheap one, from Home Depot. On one bitter winter day, you use said ax to behead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/let-s-say-you-have-an-ax-just-a-cheap-one-from-home-depot-on-one/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) > [When you're being truly creative, time stands still, and you enter a dimension that can carry you beyond the ordinariness of everyday life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-linn/when-you-re-being-truly-creative-time-stands-still-and-you-enter-a/) [Denise Linn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-linn/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. 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Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-berger/) > [“One of the traits of sophistication is the capacity to cross borders between different cultural relevancies. Humor is often, intentionally or not, the result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-berger/one-of-the-traits-of-sophistication-is-the-capacity-to-cross-borders/) [Peter L. Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-berger/) > [“All human activity is subject to habitualization. Any action that is repeated frequently becomes cast into a pattern, which can then be reproduced with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-berger/all-human-activity-is-subject-to-habitualization-any-action-that-is/) [Peter L. 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And because he is interested in men, nothing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-berger/his-consuming-interest-remains-in-the-world-of-men-their-institutions/) [Peter L. Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-berger/) [Explore all 80 Peter L. Berger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-berger/) ## More Day life quotes > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. 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