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There's been some research in cognitive science, I'm told…

“There's been some research in cognitive science, I'm told, that discloses that there have always been perhaps 10 to 15 percent of people who are, as Pascal puts it, so made that they cannot believe. To us, when people talk about faith, it's white noise.” quote by Christopher Hitchens
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“There's been some research in cognitive science, I'm told, that discloses that there have always been perhaps 10 to 15 percent of people who are, as Pascal puts it, so made that they cannot believe. To us, when people talk about faith, it's white noise.”

Christopher Hitchens

About This Quote

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

The quote suggests a small, consistent minority of people are inherently unable to accept faith, making belief seem meaningless to them.

In simple terms: A few people can’t believe, so faith feels irrelevant.

Key Takeaway

Recognize that belief isn’t universal.

Themes

skepticism faith human nature

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical critical reflective

When to use this quote

  • debates on religion
  • personal introspection
  • educational curricula
  • interfaith dialogues

Key Concepts

cognitive bias psychology of belief

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does recognizing this minority affect your view of faith?
  • Can we bridge the gap between belief and non‑belief?
A Different Perspective

Not everyone is incapable of faith; cultural and experiential factors also shape belief.

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