Literary notes about differences (AI summary)
In literature, the word “differences” is employed in a myriad of ways to signify distinctions that range from the subtle to the profound. Authors invoke it to describe individual variability, as seen when John Dewey and William James reflect on personal and perceptual variations ([1], [2]), while others like E. M. Forster and Thomas Hardy illustrate how differences—whether in color, character, or nature—add richness and complexity to human experience ([3], [4]). The term also marks distinctions in opinion, cultural traits, and even minutiae in art or physical form, as exemplified in discussions from Aristotle’s analysis of poetic imitation to Darwin’s scientific observations ([5], [6]). Across genres and disciplines, “differences” becomes a versatile concept, serving both as a tool for critical analysis and as a lens through which the diversity of the world is celebrated or scrutinized ([7], [8]).
- upils ( ii ) Educators should also note the very great individual differences that exist; they should not try to force one pattern and model upon all.
— from How We Think by John Dewey - Finally, individual differences prevail, as well as differences in the same individual at different times.
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James - Differences, eternal differences, planted by God in a single family, so that there may always be colour; sorrow perhaps, but colour in the daily grey.
— from Howards End by E. M. Forster - The differences which distinguished them as individuals were abstracted by this passion, and each was but portion of one organism called sex.
— from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy - These, then, as we said at the beginning, are the three differences which distinguish artistic imitation,—the medium, the objects, and the manner.
— from The Poetics of Aristotle by Aristotle - These alone are the unimportant differences, which Gartner is able to point out, between hybrid and mongrel plants.
— from On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin - Can we explain these differences?
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James - And the contrary is no less true, for society itself is an important source of individual differences (see our Division du travail social , 3rd.
— from The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life by Émile Durkheim