What is the difference between a fox and a hedgehog?
The distinction comes from a saying of the ancient Greek poet Archilochus : “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” Hedgehogs have a single grand idea that they apply to everything, while foxes come up with a new idea for every situation.
What is the story of the hedgehog and the fox?
Psychologist Phil Tetlock thinks the parable of the fox and the hedgehog represents two different cognitive styles. “The hedgehogs are more the big idea people, more decisive,” while the foxes are more accepting of nuance, more open to using different approaches with different problems.
What is the spiritual meaning of a fox?
The fox symbolizes cleverness, slyness, and is known in some cultures as being a trickster. In other cultures like the Celtic belief system, the fox is seen as a spirit guide, who helps you navigate the spirit world. Foxes are symbols of spirituality, creation, omens, and the afterlife.
What does a fox symbolize in the Bible?
In the Bible, foxes are used as metaphors, and often negative ones. Some believe that these negative connotations, as are those of wolves, helped lead to the mistrust, abuse, and exploitation of these animals in modern times.
Was Tolstoy a fox or a hedgehog?
Foxes
| Name | Classified by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shakespeare | Isaiah Berlin | In the original essay |
| Aristotle | Isaiah Berlin | In the original essay |
| James Joyce | Isaiah Berlin | In the original essay |
| Leo Tolstoy | Isaiah Berlin | In the original essay (“a fox who all his life sought, unsuccessfully, to be a hedgehog”) |
Why is it called the hedgehog concept?
The Hedgehog Concept was originally based on an ancient Greek parable which stated, “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” Business researcher and consultant, Jim Collins, used this concept as a metaphor for business in his influential book, “Good to Great.”