The possible truths, hazily perceived in the world of…
“The possible truths, hazily perceived in the world of abstraction, like those inferred from observation and experiment in the world of matter, are forced upon the profane multitudes, too busy to think for themselves, under the form of Divine revelation and scientific authority. But the same question stands open from the days of Socrates and Pilate down to our own age of wholesale negation: is there such a thing as absolute truth in the hands of any one party or man?”
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 questions how abstract truths are presented as divine or scientific authority, questioning whether any single person can claim absolute truth.
In simple terms: It doubts that any one source can hold absolute truth.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek personal understanding.
Themes
philosophy
truth
authority
skepticism
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
skeptical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- media consumption
- political discourse
- personal belief formation
Key Concepts
epistemology
relativism
dogma
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between revelation and evidence?
- What role should personal reasoning play?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the possibility of shared, provisional truths built through consensus.