They [human beings] are unwilling to gamble that God made…
![“They [human beings] are unwilling to gamble that God made those people who are skilled at rational argumentation uniquely virtuous. They protect themselves and others from cleverness by obscuring their preferences.” quote by James G. March](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/741/james-g-march-62233_argumentation_they-human-beings-are-unwilling-to-gambl_206941.jpg)
“They [human beings] are unwilling to gamble that God made those people who are skilled at rational argumentation uniquely virtuous. They protect themselves and others from cleverness by obscuring their preferences.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People avoid trusting that rational argumentation stems from innate virtue, preferring to hide preferences to protect against perceived cleverness.
In simple terms: People hide their true preferences to avoid being seen as overly rational.
Key Takeaway
Beware of assuming rationality equals virtue.
Themes
trust
rationality
virtue
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- decision making
- leadership development
- ethical training
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
ethical perception
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate logical skill with moral goodness?
- How can we balance rational debate with humility?
A Different Perspective
Rational arguments can be weaponized, not just constructive.