Science has to be understood in its broadest sense, as a method for apprehending all observable reality, and not merely as an instrument for acquiring specialized knowledge.
Alexis CarrelRead
Enormous amounts of money are spent for publicity. As a result, large quantities of alimentary and pharmaceutical products, at the least useless, and often harmful, have become a necessity for civilized men.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the influence of advertising on consumer behavior and public health.
Alexis Carrel emphasizes how the vast spending on publicity leads people to prioritize certain products that may be unnecessary or even harmful. This reflects a critique of modern civilization's reliance on advertising to dictate consumption habits, often at the expense of health and well-being.
Themes
AdvertisingPublicityHealthConsumerismSociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on public health policies, one might reference this quote to highlight the dangers of aggressive marketing.
More from Alexis Carrel
All quotes βMan offers himself to God. He stands before Him like the canvas before the painter or the marble before the sculptor. At the same time he asks for His grace, expresses his needs and those of his brothers in suffering. Such a type of prayer demands complete renovation. The modest, the ignorant, and the poor are more capable of this self-denial than the rich and the intellectual.
Alexis CarrelRead
Hard conditions of life are indispensable to bringing out the best in human personality.
Alexis CarrelRead
A few observation and much reasoning lead to error; many observations and a little reasoning to truth.
Alexis CarrelRead
The first duty of society is to give each of its members the possibility of fulfilling his destiny. When it becomes incapable of performing this duty it must be transformed.
Alexis CarrelRead
Discipline brings us effort, sacrifice and suffering. Later it brings us something of an inestimable value: something of which those who live only for pleasure, profit or amusement will always be deprived. This peculiar indefinable joy which one must have felt oneself to understand is the sign with which life marks its moment of triumph.
Alexis CarrelRead
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