7 phrases from José Ingenieros about mediocrity

José Ingenieros was one of the most prominent intellectuals in Argentina at the beginning of the 20th century who left us interesting reflections on mediocrity. Below, we detail them.

Many of José Ingenieros’ phrases about mediocrity come from his best-known work The mediocre man. In that text, this Argentine thinker leaves behind a great treatise on ethics that still stimulates consciences regardless of his age.

José Ingenieros was one of the intellectuals most notable of Argentina at the beginning of the 20th century. Also one of the most versatile. He was a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, criminologist, philosopher and pharmacist.

Ultimately, this great intellectual was what could be called a true humanist, in the broadest sense of the word. José Ingenieros’ phrases about mediocrity reveal his desire for perfection in the human being. These are some of his most interesting statements.

“At certain moments they dare to call their appetites ideal, as if the urge for immediate satisfaction could be confused with the desire for infinite perfections. The appetites are satisfied; ideals never”.

-José Ingenieros-

Imitation in the phrases of José Ingenieros

Many of José Ingenieros’ phrases refer to imitation. He considers it one of the main traits of mediocrity in any order in which it is presented. In this regard he points out: “The mediocre aspires to blend in with those around him; the original tends to differentiate itself from them. While one concentrates on thinking with the head of society, the other aspires to think with his own”.

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Ingenieros speaks of imitation as a gesture that expresses the renunciation of being oneself, of thinking for oneself. He points out that behind this attempt to be like others there is fear of asserting oneself. Also inability to create. Hence he also points out: “The capital function of the mediocre man is patience imitative; that of the superior man is the creative imagination”.

Fanaticism and faith

Although José Ingenieros was an intellectual very attached to science, in his exploration of the world he was also motivated by religious concerns.. In fact, some of his writings were dedicated to occultism and theosophy. He always tried to reconcile his scientific training with religious beliefs.

Due to the above, many of José Ingenieros’ phrases are dedicated to religious manifestations. One of them points out: “the lack of solidly founded beliefs turns the mediocre into a fanatic . Faith is confirmed in the clash with contrary opinions”. In that statement we clearly see the coexistence of a rational spirit and at the same time full of faith.

Swallow without chewing and digesting

The vast majority of José Ingenieros’ phrases are dedicated to exalting intellect, originality and the ability to think autonomously. This statement is very representative of his thinking: “They swallow without digesting, to the point of mental exhaustion: they ignore that man does not live by what he swallows, but by what he assimilates.”.

This is a call to “not swallow whole”, but to analyze and evaluate the intellectual content that reaches us. This statement, like many others of The mediocre man It is certainly loaded with harshness. This thinker was characterized by his sharp scalpel. He deliberately used language that sought, in addition to denunciation, challenge and, therefore, change..

The stillness

In several sections of his work, José Ingenieros praises dynamism, passion and vitality.. Consider that these characteristics are typical of sensitive beings, who cannot remain indifferent to everything around them.

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In this sentence, for example, it indicates: “The man of fine character is capable of showing sublime frills, like the ocean; In domesticated temperaments everything seems still surface”. It is a text that praises passion and sensitivity. It seems to him that mediocrity leads to the inability to react.

Adaptation and routine

In relation to routine, José Ingenieros says: “Routine is a fossil skeleton whose pieces resist the decay of centuries. It is not a daughter of experience; It’s his caricature. The one is fruitful and engenders truths; the other is sterile and kills them”. He then states that routine is the denial of experience. The latter requires awareness, while routine does not. In one way or another, routine paralyzes thought according to its assessment.

Engineers launches various criticisms against the different forms of adaptation, especially those that involve self-denial and renunciation of one’s own thinking to please a group. However, he also makes a statement that turns out to be wise and liberating. He points out: “The diverse adaptation of each individual to his environment depends on the balance between what he imitates and what he invents.”.

These are just some of José Ingenieros’ wonderful phrases about mediocrity. Reading his texts is confronting all those areas of ourselves where fear dominates.. His work, in general, is a call to be, to reaffirm ourselves and to seek originality and perfection above any other objective.