the analogy between the noises we make when these noises do not symbolize anything which exists, and the worthless checks we write when our bank balance is zero.
More Quotes from Alfred Korzybski:
There are two ways to slice easily thorugh life; to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking.Alfred Korzybski
Thus, we see that one of the obvious origins of human disagreement lies in the use of noises for words.
Alfred Korzybski
When we say our rulers, we mean those who are engaged in the manipulation of symbols. We must consider ourselves a symbolic, semantic class of life, and cannot cease from being so those who control the symbols rule us.Bankers, priests, lawyers, politicians, and news media constitute one class of our rulers and work together. They do not produce any values but manipulate the values produced by others, and often pass signs for no value at all. Scientists and teachers also comprise a ruling class. They produce the main values mankind has, but, at present, they do not realize this. They are, in the main, ruled by the cunning methods of the first class.
Alfred Korzybski
a few philosophers really do important work. This applies to the so called critical philosophy and to the theory of knowledge or epistemology. This class of workers I call epistemologists to avoid the disagreeable implications of the term philosopher.
Alfred Korzybski
Two important characteristics of maps should be noticed. A map is not the territory it represents, but, if correct, it has a similar structure to the territory, which accounts for its usefulness.
Alfred Korzybski
The only usefulness of a map or a language depends on the similarity of structure between the empirical world and the map-languages.
Alfred Korzybski
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Based on Topics: Balance QuotesBased on Keywords: symbolize
And don't consult anyone's opinions but your own.
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If Shaw and Einstein couldn't beat death, what chance have I got? Practically none.
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