Human beings are accustomed to think of intellect as the power of having and controlling ideas and of ability to learn as synonymous with ability to have ideas. But learning by having ideas is really one of the rare and isolated events in nature. Edward Thorndike
Human education is concerned with certain changes in the intellects, characters and behavior of men, its problems being roughly included under these four topics: Aims, materials, means and methods. Edward Thorndike
It will, of course, be understood that directly or indirectly, soon or late, every advance in the sciences of human nature will contribute to our success in controlling human nature and changing it to the advantage of the common weal. Edward Thorndike
Just as the science and art of agriculture depend upon chemistry and botany, so the art of education depends upon physiology and psychology. Edward Thorndike
On the whole, the psychological work of the last quarter of the nineteenth century emphasized the study of consciousness to the neglect of the total life of intellect and character. Edward Thorndike
Some statements concern the conscious states of the animal, what he is to himself as an inner life; others concern his original and acquired ways of response, his behavior, what he is an outside observer. Edward Thorndike
The dog, on the other hand, has few or no ideas because his brain acts in coarse fashion and because there are few connections with each single process. Edward Thorndike
The function of intellect is to provide a means of modifying our reactions to the circumstances of life, so that we may secure pleasure, the symptom of welfare. Edward Thorndike
The intellectual evolution of the race consists in an increase in the number, delicacy, complexity, permanence and speed of formation of such associations. Edward Thorndike
The real difference between a man's scientific judgments about himself and the judgment of others about him is he has added sources of knowledge. Edward Thorndike
The restriction of studies of human intellect and character to studies of conscious states was not without influence on a scientific studies of animal psychology. Edward Thorndike
