Absurd Quote by William James
“First... a new theory is attacked as absurd; then it is admitted to be true, but obvious and insignificant; finally it is seen to be so important that its adversaries claim that they themselves discovered it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Principles of Psychology, 1890
New ideas face ridicule, then dismissal, then claim of ownership by opponents.
In simple terms: Ideas evolve from mockery to claimed discovery.
Key Takeaway
Persist; ideas may gain later recognition.
Themes
innovation
recognition
intellectual property
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- research
- entrepreneurship
- art
- politics
Key Concepts
paradigm shift
scientific progress
ego
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle early criticism?
- What drives people to claim others' ideas?
A Different Perspective
Recognition may be delayed or denied.
