The general root of superstition is that men observe when…
“The general root of superstition is that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss, and commit to memory the one, and pass over the other.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Superstition arises from remembering successes and forgetting failures, leading to biased belief.
In simple terms: We remember hits, ignore misses.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and correct selective memory bias.
Themes
cognition
bias
superstition
memory
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
psychological
educational
When to use this quote
- decision making
- scientific research
- everyday judgments
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
confirmation bias
psychology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selective memory affect your choices?
- What strategies counteract this bias?
A Different Perspective
Memory of failures is also important for learning.