--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He defined philosophy as the finding of…" description: "\"“He defined philosophy as the finding of bad reason for what one believes by instinct. As if one believed anything by instinct! One believes things bec..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0c/aldous-huxley-97_philosophy_he-defined-philosophy-as-the-finding-of_2854072.jpg" --- # He defined philosophy as the finding of bad reason for… ![“He defined philosophy as the finding of bad reason for what one believes by instinct. As if one believed anything by instinct! One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them.” quote by Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0c/aldous-huxley-97_philosophy_he-defined-philosophy-as-the-finding-of_2854072.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0c/aldous-huxley-97_philosophy_he-defined-philosophy-as-the-finding-of_2854072.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0c/aldous-huxley-97_philosophy_he-defined-philosophy-as-the-finding-of_2854072.jpg) > ““He defined philosophy as the finding of bad reason for what one believes by instinct. As if one believed anything by instinct! One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them.”” [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Philosophy is portrayed as rationalizing beliefs that are actually rooted in instinct and conditioning rather than logical proof. **In simple terms:** We justify instincts as reason. Key Takeaway Question your unexamined beliefs. Themes critical thinking philosophy psychology Mood reflective skeptical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - education - personal growth - media consumption - political discourse Key Concepts cognitive bias social conditioning instinct Questions to Reflect On - What beliefs do you hold without evidence? - How does conditioning shape your worldview? A Different Perspective Instincts can be powerful but may mislead without scrutiny. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defined Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defined-philosophy-1894652/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Finding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-finding-3814597/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Believes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-believes-288744/) ## Related quotes > [The Savage interrupted him. "But isn't it natural to feel there's a God?" "You might as well ask if it's natural to do up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-savage-interrupted-him-but-isn-t-it-natural-to-feel-there-s-a-god/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Then you think there is no God?" "No, I think there quite probably is one." "Then why? …" Mustapha Mond checked him. "But he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/then-you-think-there-is-no-god-no-i-think-there-quite-probably-is-one-2/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Rightly defined philosophy is simply the love of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/rightly-defined-philosophy-is-simply-the-love-of-wisdom/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The Cabala may be defined to be a system of philosophy which embraces certain mystical interpretations of Scripture, and metaphysical and spiritual beings... 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Apparently, for going on walks in the Lake District; for that was what he now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/then-what-s-time-for-asked-lenina-in-some-astonishment-apparently-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [All right then," said the Savage defiantly, "I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/all-right-then-said-the-savage-defiantly-i-m-claiming-the-right-to-be/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/speed-it-seems-to-me-provides-the-one-genuinely-modern-pleasure/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“What you need is a gramme of soma.” “All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/what-you-need-is-a-gramme-of-soma-all-the-advantages-of-christianity/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [To be enlightened is to be aware, always, of total reality in its immanent otherness - to be aware of it and yet remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/to-be-enlightened-is-to-be-aware-always-of-total-reality-in-its/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Quote of the day:Quote of the day: A democracy which makes or even effectively prepares for modern, scientific war must necessarily cease to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/quote-of-the-day-quote-of-the-day-a-democracy-which-makes-or-even/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) [Explore all 1,291 Aldous Huxley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## More Philosophy quotes > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [“This is what is called "honor among thieves," for the really dangerous people are those who do not recognize that they are thieves— the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/this-is-what-is-called-honor-among-thieves-for-the-really-dangerous/) [Alan W. 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