"We coin concepts and we use them to analyse and explain nature and society. But we seem to forget, midway, that these concepts are our own constructs and start equating them with reality"
- Abdolkarim Soroush
About this Quote
This quote by Abdolkarim Soroush speaks to the suggestion that people have a tendency to fail to remember that the principles they produce are their own constructs. We make use of these principles to assess and describe nature and culture, however in doing so, we usually fail to remember that these ideas are not fact itself. This quote is a reminder that our ideas are just that - our very own productions - which they ought to not be misinterpreted for reality. It is important to keep in mind that our principles are limited by our very own understanding which they should not be taken as outright fact. We ought to be aware of the limitations of our own ideas and also use them to better recognize the world around us, as opposed to change fact.
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"