"A new philosophy generally means in practice the praise of some old vice"
- Gilbert K. Chesterton
About this Quote
This quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton recommends that when a brand-new viewpoint is presented, it frequently serves to glorify an old vice. This might be interpreted in a couple of ways. First of all, it might be seen as a criticism of the tendency of individuals to hold on to outdated concepts and practices, even when new and more progressive approaches are offered. It might also be viewed as a caution versus the risks of blindly following brand-new approaches without considering their prospective repercussions. Finally, it could be seen as a pointer that, while brand-new approaches may use new perspectives, they can also be utilized to justify existing vices. Ultimately, this quote works as a pointer to be conscious of the potential implications of any new viewpoint before welcoming it.
"I think philosophers can do things akin to theoretical scientists, in that, having read about empirical data, they too can think of what hypotheses and theories might account for that data. So there's a continuity between philosophy and science in that way"
"What I mean by photographing as a participant rather than observer is that I'm not only involved directly with some of the activities that I photograph, such as mountain climbing, but even when I'm not I have the philosophy that my mind and body are part of the natural world"