It sounds as if you supposed that argument was the way to…
““It sounds as if you supposed that argument was the way to keep him out of the Enemy's clutches. That might have been so if he had lived a few centuries earlier. At that time the humans still knew pretty well when a thing was proved and when it was not; and if it was proved they really believed it. They still connected thinking with doing and were prepared to alter their way of life as the result of a chain of reasoning. But what with the weekly press and other such weapons we have largely altered that. Your man has been accustomed, ever since he was a boy, to have a dozen incompatible philosophies dancing about together inside his head. He doesn't think of doctrines as primarily 'true' or 'false', but as 'academic' or 'practical', 'outworn' or 'contemporary', 'conventional' or 'ruthless'. Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that modern media fragments belief, making people juggle conflicting philosophies rather than seeking absolute truth.
In simple terms: Media overload leads to fragmented thinking.
Key Takeaway
Seek coherent, grounded beliefs.
Themes
philosophy
media influence
truth
faith
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- religious debate
- public policy
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
information overload
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we discern truth amid noise?
- What role should tradition play in modern reasoning?
A Different Perspective
Even with critical thinking, bias persists.