There are those who feel an imperative need to believe…
“There are those who feel an imperative need to believe, for whom the values of a belief are proportionate not to its truth, but to its definiteness. Incapable of either admitting the existence of contrary judgments or of suspending their own, they supply the place of knowledge by turning other men's conjectures into dogmas.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People cling to beliefs because the certainty they provide feels more valuable than truth, turning speculation into dogma.
In simple terms: Belief valued for certainty over truth.
Key Takeaway
Question your certainty.
Themes
faith
certainty
dogma
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- religious discussion
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
epistemology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you value more: certainty or truth?
- How do you handle contradictory evidence?
A Different Perspective
Beliefs can be challenged by evidence.