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We should chiefly depend not upon that department of the…

“We should chiefly depend not upon that department of the soul which is most superficial and fallible (our reason), but upon that department that is deep and sure, which is instinct.” quote by Charles Sanders Peirce
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“We should chiefly depend not upon that department of the soul which is most superficial and fallible (our reason), but upon that department that is deep and sure, which is instinct.”

Charles Sanders Peirce

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Instinct, not reason, is the reliable guide for deep truths; reason is superficial and error‑prone.

In simple terms: Trust instinct over shallow reasoning.

Key Takeaway

Balance intuition with critical thought.

Themes

intuition reason philosophy

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

  • decision making
  • creative work
  • personal dilemmas

Key Concepts

epistemology psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • When should you trust gut feeling?
  • How do you test instinct against evidence?
A Different Perspective

Reason can correct instinctual bias when evidence is clear.

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