The reasonable [person] adapts [themself] to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to [themself]. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable [person].
This updated quote is based on Geoge Bernard Shaw’s (1903) Maxims for Revolutionists which was an appendix to his play Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy. The following is the original quote.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man (Shaw, 1903).
I am currently working with a new group of graduate students who are building their literature reviews to support their innovation plans and as result, like my students, I have to walk the talk and go back to the primary source whenever possible. It has been many years since I last read through Shaw’s Maxims for Revolutionists so when I reviewed the above quote on Reason also I reviewed the entire work. I have always been was struck by the satirical or contrarian bent of most of Shaw’s writing and his maxims are some of the best examples of his desire for progress or change.
Shaw is the unreasonable man that he writes about and he was striving to adapt the world to himself. While some may not agree with the man or his philosophy there is no denying some of his ideas are impactful and as challenging today as they were over 100 years ago.
This is not the first time I have considered Shaw’s maxim – The Power of Being An Unreasonable Learner
Reference
Shaw, G. B. (2002). Maxims for revolutionists: Reason (1903). Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy. Indy publishing Co., New York
