faith in the eventual supremacy of reason has become so…
““faith in the eventual supremacy of reason has become so timid that we dare not enter our convictions in the open lists, to win or lose. Such fears as these are a solvent that can eat out the cement that binds the stones together; they may in the end subject us to a despotism as evil as any that we dread; and they can be allayed only in so far as we refuse to proceed on suspicion, and trust one another until we have tangible ground for misgiving. The mutual confidence on which all else depends can be maintained only by an open mind and a brave reliance upon free discussion. I do not say that””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reason’s dominance is feared, leading to secrecy and distrust; open dialogue and mutual trust are needed to prevent tyranny.
In simple terms: Fear of reason causes secrecy; open discussion builds trust.
Key Takeaway
Encourage honest, open conversation.
Themes
trust
fear
freedom
dialogue
tyranny
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
philosophical
political
motivational
When to use this quote
- political debates
- team meetings
- community forums
- academic seminars
Key Concepts
philosophy
political theory
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster genuine trust in contentious discussions?
- What safeguards prevent open dialogue from being co-opted?
A Different Perspective
Open dialogue can be hindered by power imbalances and social pressures.