Agency Quote by Salman Rushdie
“The question I'm always asking myself is: are we masters or victims? Do we make history, or does history make us? Do we shape the world, or are we just shaped by it? The question of do we have agency in our lives or whether we are just passive victims of events is, I think, a great question, and one that I have always tried to ask.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2022 New Yorker interview with Salman Rushdie
Explores whether individuals control history or are controlled by it, questioning personal agency versus determinism.
In simple terms: Are we shaping history or being shaped by it?
Key Takeaway
Reflect on your own agency.
Themes
agency
determinism
history
self‑reflection
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- career planning
- political activism
- creative projects
Key Concepts
philosophy
existentialism
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel you can change your circumstances?
- What forces shape your choices?
A Different Perspective
Agency can be limited by structural forces and unconscious biases.
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