To deprecate human reason by saying that none of us is or…
“To deprecate human reason by saying that none of us is or can be omniscient is absurd, for it takes an impossible standard as the judge of a possible and real condition. All of our knowledge we get from the exercise of our reason; to say that no man can be God and know everything is to take an irrational standard of evaluation.”
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 argues that dismissing human reason because it cannot be all‑knowing is illogical; it sets an unattainable benchmark to judge our actual, limited rational capacities.
In simple terms: Human reason is unfairly judged by impossible standards.
Key Takeaway
Reason should be valued despite its limits.
Themes
Epistemology
Philosophy of Knowledge
Human Limits
Rationalism
Critique of Absolutism
Mood
Thoughtful
Critical
Reflective
Type
Philosophical
Analytical
When to use this quote
- Academic debate on epistemic standards
- Discussions on AI and human cognition
- Ethical deliberations on decision‑making
- Critiques of dogmatic skepticism
Key Concepts
Reason
Knowledge
Omniscience
Evaluation
Practical Applications
- Philosophical essays
- Educational curricula on critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards should we use to assess human reasoning?
- How do we balance humility with confidence in our knowledge?