"Not that I wish by any means to deny, that the mental life of individuals and peoples is also in conformity with law, as is the object of philosophical, philological, historical, moral, and social sciences to establish"
- Hermann von Helmholtz
About this Quote
This quote by Hermann von Helmholtz suggests that the psychological life of people and peoples is subject to laws, just like the physical world. He is stressing the significance of the philosophical, philological, historical, ethical, and social sciences in establishing these laws. He is suggesting that the psychological life of people and peoples is not random or chaotic, however rather follows particular patterns and laws. He is also recommending that these laws can be found and understood through using the abovementioned sciences. To put it simply, the mental life of individuals and individuals is not arbitrary, however rather follows particular patterns and laws that can be studied and comprehended. This quote is a tip of the importance of the sciences in comprehending the mental life of individuals and individuals.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"