In religion and politics people’s beliefs and convictions…
“In religion and politics people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often accept beliefs from unexamined authorities rather than thinking for themselves.
In simple terms: We inherit unexamined ideas from others.
Key Takeaway
Question and verify beliefs yourself.
Themes
critical thinking
authority
beliefs
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political debate
- religious discussion
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
epistemology
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs have you accepted without scrutiny?
- How can you test the reliability of an authority?
A Different Perspective
Unexamined beliefs can be deeply entrenched and hard to change.