In our reasonings concerning matter of fact, there are all…
“In our reasonings concerning matter of fact, there are all imaginable degrees of assurance, from the highest certainty to the lowest species of moral evidence. A wise man, therefore, proportions his belief to the evidence.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Belief should match the strength of supporting evidence, ranging from certainty to weak moral evidence.
In simple terms: Match belief to evidence.
Key Takeaway
Align confidence with proof.
Themes
epistemology
reason
belief
evidence
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- legal judgments
- personal decisions
- policy making
Key Concepts
probabilistic reasoning
moral epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess evidence strength?
- When should you doubt strong evidence?
A Different Perspective
Evidence can be ambiguous, making proportional belief difficult.