The human mind feels restless and dissatisfied under the…
“The human mind feels restless and dissatisfied under the anxieties of ignorance. It longs for the repose of conviction; and to gain this repose it will often rather precipitate its conclusions than wait for the tardy lights of observation and experiment. There is such a thing, too, as the love of simplicity and system,--a prejudice of the understanding which disposes it to include all the phenomena of nature under a few sweeping generalities,--an indolence which loves to repose on the beauties of a theory rather than encounter the fatiguing detail of its evidences.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The mind rushes to simple conclusions, preferring comforting theories over detailed evidence, revealing a bias toward simplicity that can hinder true understanding.
In simple terms: People favor simple ideas over complex facts.
Key Takeaway
Seek evidence before accepting easy explanations.
Themes
cognition
bias
science
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- critical thinking
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
simplification
prejudice
indolence
Questions to Reflect On
- What complex issues do you oversimplify?
- How can you balance simplicity with accuracy?
A Different Perspective
Simplistic thinking can lead to false conclusions.