To consider the matter aright, reason is nothing but a…
“To consider the matter aright, reason is nothing but a wonderful and unintelligible instinct in our souls, which carries us along a certain train of ideas, and endows them with particular qualities, according to their particular situations and relations. This instinct, 'tis true, arises from past observation and experience; but can anyone give the ultimate reason, why past experience and observation produces such an effect, any more than why nature alone should produce it?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reason is an instinct shaped by experience, yet its ultimate justification remains elusive.
In simple terms: Reason stems from experience, but its basis is unclear.
Key Takeaway
Question the foundations of rational thought.
Themes
epistemology
psychology
philosophy
instinct
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- Scientific inquiry
- personal decision‑making
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
empiricism
rationalism
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits do our instincts place on reasoning?
- Can experience be trusted as a guide?
A Different Perspective
Reason alone cannot fully explain knowledge acquisition.