--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In some central and important cases…" description: "\"In some central and important cases, ... the existence of specific power relations in the society will produce an appearance of a particular kind. Cert..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61a/raymond-geuss-30809_action_in-some-central-and-important-cases-the_859366.jpg" --- # In some central and important cases, ... the existence of… ![“In some central and important cases, ... the existence of specific power relations in the society will produce an appearance of a particular kind. Certain features of the society that are merely local and contingent, and maintained in existence only by the continual exercise of power, will come to…” quote by Raymond Geuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61a/raymond-geuss-30809_action_in-some-central-and-important-cases-the_859366.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61a/raymond-geuss-30809_action_in-some-central-and-important-cases-the_859366.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61a/raymond-geuss-30809_action_in-some-central-and-important-cases-the_859366.jpg) > “In some central and important cases, ... the existence of specific power relations in the society will produce an appearance of a particular kind. Certain features of the society that are merely local and contingent, and maintained in existence only by the continual exercise of power, will come to seem as if they were universal, necessary, invariant, or natural features of all forms of human social life, or as if they arose spontaneously and uncoercedly by free human action.” [Raymond Geuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-geuss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Explains how power relations shape perceived universals, making contingent social features appear natural. **In simple terms:** Power makes some social norms seem inevitable. Key Takeaway Question assumed universals. Themes power social construction ideology Mood critical analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - policy analysis - educational reform - media critique - activist organizing Key Concepts critical theory structuralism social ontology Questions to Reflect On - How do we reveal hidden power structures? - What can disrupt perceived naturalities? A Different Perspective Overcoming entrenched power narratives is difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Human actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-actions/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-life/) ## Related quotes > [Peace as a positive condition of society, not merely as an interim between wars, is something so unknown that it casts no images on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/peace-as-a-positive-condition-of-society-not-merely-as-an-interim/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [There is no good in living in a society where you are merely the equal of everybody else. 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