We are living in a time when systematically — though without our wanting it so — action and thought are being separated. In our society, he who thinks can no longer act for himself; he must act through the agency of others, and in many cases he cannot act at all. He who acts cannot first think out his action, either because of lack of time and the burden of his personal problems, or because society's plan demands that he translate others' thoughts into action. And we see the same division within the individual himself. For he can use his mind only outside the area of his job — in order to find himself, to use his leisure to better himself, to discover what best suits hint, and thus to individualize himself, whereas in the context of his work he yield* to the common necessity, the common method, the need to incorporate his own work into the overall plan. Escape into dreams is suggested to him white he performs wholly mechanized actions."/>

Home > Author > Jacques Ellul >

" The separation of thought and action in our society."

We are living in a time when systematically — though without our wanting it so — action and thought are being separated. In our society, he who thinks can no longer act for himself; he must act through the agency of others, and in many cases he cannot act at all. He who acts cannot first think out his action, either because of lack of time and the burden of his personal problems, or because society's plan demands that he translate others' thoughts into action. And we see the same division within the individual himself. For he can use his mind only outside the area of his job — in order to find himself, to use his leisure to better himself, to discover what best suits hint, and thus to individualize himself, whereas in the context of his work he yield* to the common necessity, the common method, the need to incorporate his own work into the overall plan. Escape into dreams is suggested to him white he performs wholly mechanized actions. "

― Jacques Ellul , Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes

← Prev Next →

Image for Quotes

Jacques Ellul quote : The separation of thought and action in our society.
We are living in a time when systematically — though without our wanting it so — action and thought are being separated. In our society, he who thinks can no longer act for himself; he must act through the agency of others, and in many cases he cannot act at all. He who acts cannot first think out his action, either because of lack of time and the burden of his personal problems, or because society's plan demands that he translate others' thoughts into action. And we see the same division within the individual himself. For he can use his mind only outside the area of his job — in order to find himself, to use his leisure to better himself, to discover what best suits hint, and thus to individualize himself, whereas in the context of his work he yield* to the common necessity, the common method, the need to incorporate his own work into the overall plan. Escape into dreams is suggested to him white he performs wholly mechanized actions." style="width:100%;margin:20px 0;"/>
DOWNLOAD THE QUOTE IMAGE