Dramatic Quote by Willard Van Orman Quine
“An indirect quotation we can usually expect to rate only as better or worse, more or less faithful, and we cannot even hope for astrict standard of more and less; what is involved is evaluation, relative to special purposes, of an essentially dramatic act.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Word and Object, Willard Van Orman Quine, 1960
Evaluating quotations depends on purpose and context, not an absolute standard of fidelity.
In simple terms: Judgment of quotes varies by use.
Key Takeaway
Assess relevance, not just accuracy.
Themes
interpretation
purpose
evaluation
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- legal testimony
- media reporting
- personal communication
Key Concepts
relativism
dramatic act
Questions to Reflect On
- How does purpose shape your assessment of a quote?
- What criteria matter most in your field?
A Different Perspective
Quotes may be misused if context ignored.
![“Some have said that the thesis [of indeterminacy] is a consequence of my behaviorism. Some have said that it is a reductio ad absurdum of my behaviorism. I disagree with this second point, but I agree with the first. I hold further that the behaviorism approach is mandatory. In psychology one may…” quote by Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e0/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_ads_some-have-said-that-the-thesis-of-indete_315688.jpg)
