I wish to propose a doctrine which may, I fear, appear…
““I wish to propose a doctrine which may, I fear, appear wildly paradoxical and subversive. The doctrine in question is this: that it is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatever for supposing it true.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Believing without evidence is undesirable; one should not accept propositions lacking any grounding, urging rigorous skepticism.
In simple terms: Don’t accept ideas without evidence.
Key Takeaway
Require evidence before belief.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
skepticism
logic
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- scientific research
- policy making
- everyday decision making
Key Concepts
rationalism
critical thinking
truth seeking
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it reasonable to act without full evidence?
- How do we balance doubt with practical action?
A Different Perspective
Absolute skepticism may hinder intuition or faith.