7 Phrases By José Ingenieros About Mediocrity

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

José Ingenieros was one of the most prominent intellectuals in 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 might be called a true humanist, in the broadest sense of the word. The phrases of José Ingenieros about mediocrity show his desire for perfection in the human being. These are some of his most interesting claims.

Imitation in the phrases of José Ingenieros

Many of José Ingenieros’s phrases refer to imitation. He considers it one of the main traits of mediocrity in whatever order it is presented. In this regard, he points out: “ The mediocre aspires to be confused in those around him; the original tends to differ from them. While the one is specified to think with the head of society, the other aspires to think with his own ”.

Ingenieros speaks of imitation as a gesture that expresses the renunciation of being oneself, to think for oneself. He points out that behind this attempt to be like others there is a fear of asserting oneself. Also inability to create. Hence, he points out: “ The capital function of mediocre man is imitative patience ; 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 the occult and theosophy. He always tried to reconcile his scientific training with religious beliefs.

Therefore, many of José Ingenieros’s 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 opposing opinions ”. In this statement the coexistence of a rational spirit and at the same time full of faith is clearly seen.

Swallow without chewing and digesting

The vast majority of José Ingenieros’s phrases are dedicated to exalting the 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 indignation: they ignore that man does not live on what he swallows, but on 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 in The Mediocre Man, is certainly loaded with harshness. This thinker was characterized by his sharp scalpel. He deliberately used a language that sought, in addition to denunciation, challenge and, therefore, change.

The stillness

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

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

Adaptation and routine

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

Ingenieros launches various criticisms against the different forms of adaptation, especially those that involve self-denial and renounce 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 the wonderful phrases of José Ingenieros about mediocrity. To read his texts is to confront 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.