Culture Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
““The practice which obtains amongst the Americans of fixing the standard of their judgment in themselves alone, leads them to other habits of mind. As they perceive that they succeed in resolving without assistance all the little difficulties which their practical life presents, they readily conclude that everything in the world may be explained, and that nothing in it transcends the limits of the understanding. Thus they fall to denying what they cannot comprehend; which leaves them but little faith for whatever is extraordinary, and an almost insurmountable distaste for whatever is supernatural.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Democracy in America, 1835
Americans trust their own reasoning, leading to skepticism of the supernatural and a preference for rational explanations.
In simple terms: Americans favor rational over supernatural.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility about limits of knowledge.
Themes
rationalism
skepticism
culture
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- education
- public discourse
- science communication
Key Concepts
epistemic humility
faith vs reason
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we respect both reason and mystery?
- What role does faith play in modern society?
A Different Perspective
Excluding the supernatural can dismiss valuable perspectives.
