Alive Quote by R. D. Laing
“Conventions are convenient. It is inconvenient to say people are dead when they are alive, or alive when they have been buried, or that the world is crumbling when it is, as everyone can see, there as usual. If all A that does not fit B is ipso facto disqualified, we have to tailor A to shape and size to avoid serious trouble, and not all are equally gifted in this art.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Divided Self, 1960 (paraphrased)
The quote highlights the absurdity of labeling people as dead or alive based on appearances and the need to adapt definitions to avoid logical contradictions.
In simple terms: Labels can be misleading; flexibility avoids errors.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and adapt language.
Themes
philosophy
language
logic
identity
perception
Mood
skeptical
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- clinical practice
- ethical debates
- communication training
- philosophical inquiry
Key Concepts
existentialism
semantic analysis
social constructs
Questions to Reflect On
- How do our labels shape reality?
- When should we revise definitions?
A Different Perspective
Rigid definitions can obscure truth and hinder understanding.
