This quote suggests that when people rely on the authority of others in a discussion, they are not truly engaging their own understanding and reasoning, but rather relying on their memory of what those authorities have said. Rather of critically thinking about the topic at hand and forming their own opinions or arguments, they fall back on the words and ideas of others. this can limit personal growth and intellectual development because it discourages independant thought.
The idea conveyed by this quote is particularly relevant in today’s world where we are constantly bombarded with information from various sources – news outlets, social media, influencers etc. It’s easy to simply except what these sources say without questioning or analyzing it ourselves. However, doing so means we’re using our memory (of what these sources have said) rather than our understanding.
in terms of personal development, this quote encourages us to think more deeply about things instead of just accepting what we’re told.By engaging our understanding rather than relying solely on authority figures or popular opinion,we can develop a more nuanced perspective on different topics. This not only enhances our knowledge but also improves our critical thinking skills which are crucial for problem-solving and decision-making.
Moreover,it promotes intellectual independence and also boosts self-confidence as you trust your judgement based on your understanding rather than depending upon someone else’s viewpoint.therefore fostering an surroundings where individuals feel motivated to use their understanding over memorized information leads to better engagement and productivity.