Eric hoffer quotes in times of change

Neurosurgery, as traditionally practiced, is changing. Eric Hoffer observed, "In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists." Historically, learners have possessed certain attributes. They anticipate rather than react to change. They become essential facilitators within their altered environment. They are effective advocates for principled behavior and ethical practices. They skillfully communicate the new and technically arcane with a common touch. Learners also understand the lessons of history. The potential of process technology, illustrated by Morton's 1846 application of already well-understood science, in essence, to transform the profession of surgery by making painless operations possible, is one example. Voluntary professional associations such as organized neurosurgery can also learn from the contrasting experiences of the Donner Party and the Utah Pioneers as they made their way down the same canyon of the Wasatch mountain range during the summers of 1846 and 1847, respectively. Group dynamics during those two episodes differed strikingly. It was the vanguard party of Utah Pioneers who exemplified the characters of learners. They acted with unity, common purpose, and careful preparation designed to benefit those who followed them. Years from now, how will the current individual and institutional behavior of neurosurgeons and their associations be judged? An interval assessment is suggested at the April, 2012 American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting. From that perspective, will it be determined that the neurosurgical discipline acted presciently, as would those Hoffer describes as learners? Will neurosurgery be said to have understood and thereby profited from the lessons of history? These are pertinent questions. The answers, considered as a pr

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Eric Hoffer | Introduction

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) was an American moral and social philosopher, and a prolific author, whose works have had a lasting impact on the American culture and society. Hoffer was born in the Lower East Side of New York. After emigrating to California in the 1930s, Hoffer worked as a longshoreman on the San Francisco docks. Inspired by a deep-rooted love of learning and desire to understand the world around him, Hoffer began writing a series of books that explored the nature of humanity in the contemporary age. Hoffer had no formal training in philosophy but his works were highly influential, helping to shape the nation's understanding of how social and economic forces shape the world and how people interact with one another. Hoffer's primary works explored issues of conformity, authority, individualism, and their relationship to the formation of social consensus. He argued that the mass media and politicized groups hold tremendous sway over individuals and society at large, and warned against the dangers of unbridled power and the need for personal autonomy. His most influential book, The True Believer (1951), explored the psychological motivations for political and religious fanaticism, and remains a much-cited source for studies of mass movements and extremist ideologies. Hoffer's other popular works include The Passionate State of Mind (1954), The Ordeal of Change (1963), and Reflections on the Human Condition (1973). His works have been translated into more than forty languages and he is widely recognized as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century.

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