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LostInParadise's avatar

Who said that for something to be meaningful, it must be a difference that makes a difference?

Asked by LostInParadise (31905points) March 6th, 2020
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I think that was what was said. I did a Web search and could not find anything.

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Inspired_2write's avatar

Philosopher William James
To live a meaningful life, you must know that one thing is true: What you do already matters. Philosopher William James, one of the founders of pragmatism, said it best: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”Oct 16, 2019

To Live a Meaningful Life, Remember This One Thing – Forgeforge.medium.com › to-live-a-meaningful-life-remember-this-one-thing…

Inspired_2write (14486points)“Great Answer” (1points)
LostInParadise's avatar

I like that quote, but it is not quite what I had in mind. What I am looking for is much less profound. It is a way of answering someone who gets caught up in abstractions. Ask them to point how what they are saying points to an actual noticeable difference that causes another noticeable difference.

I found this quote from Gertrude Stein that is fairly close. It seems to relate to her description of Oakland, “There is no there there”, which I have used extensively in various contexts.

LostInParadise (31905points)“Great Answer” (0points)
LadyMarissa's avatar

I might be wrong, but it seems like I learned in high school that Ralph Waldo Emerson said something similar I don’t remember his exact quote.

LadyMarissa (16084points)“Great Answer” (0points)
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