Clarity Quote by Alfred North Whitehead
““In the study of ideas, it is necessary to remember that insistence on hard-headed clarity issues from sentimental feeling, as if it were a mist, cloaking the perplexities of fact. Insistence on clarity at all costs is based on sheer superstition as to the mode in which human intelligence functions. Our reasoning grasps at straws for premises and float on gossamer for deductions.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: “The Limits of Clarity”, 1925
Clarity forced by sentiment is superstition; reasoning often rests on weak foundations.
In simple terms: Clarity driven by feeling is unreliable.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions, seek robust evidence.
Themes
epistemology
critical thinking
philosophy
logic
human cognition
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy analysis
- education
- debate
- scientific inquiry
Key Concepts
academic lecture
philosophical essay
intellectual history
Questions to Reflect On
- When is ambiguity beneficial in problem solving?
- How do you balance clarity with openness to complexity?
A Different Perspective
Strict clarity can stifle creativity and nuance.
