Quotation
Quote by James Sully
In the history of the individual as of the race, thought, even the abstract thought of science, grows out of the free play of imagination.
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Understanding this quote
The quote suggests that imagination comes before even the most abstract scientific thinking. This is true both for an individual and for humanity as a whole: people develop ideas by freely exploring possibilities, and more formal thought grows from that activity. “Free play” points to curiosity and creative speculation rather than rigid rules alone.
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- Project Gutenberg, Studies in Childhood
- Format
- Official Statement
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