It takes a wonderful brain and exquisite senses to produce a few stupid ideas.
George SantayanaRead
Oxford, the paradise of dead philosophies.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that Oxford is a place where outdated ideas and philosophies linger. It implies a critique of the stagnation of thought in traditional academic settings.
George Santayana's quote reflects his view of Oxford as a bastion for philosophies that are no longer alive or relevant, suggesting that the institution may be more preoccupied with preserving past ideas than fostering new, dynamic thought. The phrase 'paradise of dead philosophies' evokes a sense of nostalgia and critique, highlighting how the weight of historical intellectual traditions can sometimes hinder the evolution of contemporary thought and innovation.
Themes
OxfordPhilosophyTraditionThoughtCritique
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the value of critical thinking, this quote can illustrate the dangers of clinging to outdated philosophies.
More from George Santayana
All quotes βThe working of great institutions is mainly the result of a vast mass of routine, petty malice, self interest, carelessness and sheer mistake. Only a residual fraction is thought.
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There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval. The dark background which death supplies brings out the tender colours of life in all their purity.
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Not to believe in love is a great sign of dullness. There are some people so indirect and lumbering that they think all real affection rests on circumstantial evidence.
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To feel beauty is a better thing than to understand how we come to feel it. To have imagination and taste, to love the best, to be carried by the contemplation of nature to a vivid faith in the ideal, all this is more, a great deal more, than any science can hope to be.
George SantayanaRead
The vital straining towards an ideal, definite but latent, when it dominates a whole life, may express that ideal more fully than could the best chosen words.
George SantayanaRead
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