R. W. K. Paterson Quote

Ideals are not summaries of the empirical facts about human personality and behaviour: they are the standards by reference to which we pass judgment on the facts. Since ideals are not empirical generalizations, to cite counterinstances, however plentiful, would merely be to betray one's total failure to understand the nature of the subject-matter under discussion.


p. 20. - The New Patricians (1998)


Ideals are not summaries of the empirical facts about human personality and behaviour: they are the standards by reference to which we pass judgment...

Ideals are not summaries of the empirical facts about human personality and behaviour: they are the standards by reference to which we pass judgment...

Ideals are not summaries of the empirical facts about human personality and behaviour: they are the standards by reference to which we pass judgment...

Ideals are not summaries of the empirical facts about human personality and behaviour: they are the standards by reference to which we pass judgment...