Affirmative Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“Would there not be the greatest reason to apprehend, that error in the first sentence would be the parent of error in the second sentence? That the strong bias of one decision would be apt to overrule the influence of any new lights, which might be brought to vary the complexion of another decision? Those, who know any thing of human nature, will not hesitate to answer these questions in the affirmative.”
About This Quote
Source Writings: The Federalist Papers, No. 1, 1787
Early errors in reasoning can cascade, causing later decisions to be biased and resistant to new information.
In simple terms: First mistakes can bias later choices.
Key Takeaway
Check assumptions early to avoid compounded errors.
Themes
reasoning
bias
decision making
human nature
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- legal judgments
- personal decisions
- team meetings
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
error propagation
confirmation bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify the first error in a chain of reasoning?
- What strategies can you use to remain open to new information?
A Different Perspective
Even with bias, new evidence can still shift opinions if presented persuasively.
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