What we firmly believe, if it is true, is called…
““What we firmly believe, if it is true, is called knowledge, provided it is either intuitive or inferred (logically or psychologically) from intuitive knowledge from which it follows logically. What we firmly believe, if it is not true, is called error. What we firmly believe, if it is neither knowledge nor error, and also what we believe hesitatingly, because it is, or is derived from, something which has not the highest degree of self-evidence, may be called probable opinion. Thus the greater part of what would commonly pass as knowledge is more or less probable opinion.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Knowledge claims are either true, false, or uncertain; much of what we call knowledge is actually educated guesswork.
In simple terms: Many “knowledge” statements are just educated guesses.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions critically.
Themes
epistemology
philosophy
truth
certainty
logic
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- scientific research
- everyday decision making
- media consumption
- policy formation
Key Concepts
knowledge
error
probable opinion
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs do you hold that might be probable opinion?
- How do you distinguish knowledge from opinion?
A Different Perspective
Even with rigorous methods, some beliefs remain uncertain.