Summary
This quote by Hermann Ebbinghaus suggests that while psychology as an academic discipline may have existed for a long time, its development as a distinct and recognized field is relatively recent. It highlights the contrast between the extended period of human curiosity and interest in understanding the mind and behavior, and the more formal and organized approach that emerged during the late 19th century. Essentially, it emphasizes the idea that the scientific study of psychology, as we know it today, has a relatively brief history compared to the extensive exploration into human behavior that has taken place throughout time.