Namely, we have no right to believe a thing true because…
“Namely, we have no right to believe a thing true because everybody says so unless there are good grounds for believing that some one person at least has the means of knowing what is true, and is speaking the truth so far as he knows it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Believe only with evidence, not just popular opinion, unless someone reliable knows the truth.
In simple terms: Require proof, not crowd consensus.
Key Takeaway
Seek evidence before belief.
Themes
skepticism
epistemology
truth
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- news consumption
- legal testimony
- medical decisions
Key Concepts
Justified belief
reliability
knowledge standards
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify a claim’s source?
- When is it okay to trust consensus?
A Different Perspective
Evidence can be incomplete or ambiguous.