---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our reasonings grasp at straws for…"
description: "\"Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on gossamers for deductions.\" — Alfred North Whitehead"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/alfred-north-whitehead-836_deductions_our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premi_2113390.png"
---

#  Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on…

![“Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on gossamers for deductions.” quote by Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/alfred-north-whitehead-836_deductions_our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premi_2113390.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/alfred-north-whitehead-836_deductions_our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premi_2113390.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/alfred-north-whitehead-836_deductions_our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premi_2113390.png)

> “Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on gossamers for deductions.”

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Our reasoning often rests on flimsy foundations and fragile conclusions.

**In simple terms:** Reasoning is weak and deductions fragile.

Key Takeaway

Question your assumptions.

Themes

philosophy logic epistemology

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- academic debates
- critical thinking
- writing essays
- policy analysis

Key Concepts

process philosophy fragility of reasoning

Questions to Reflect On

- What premises are you accepting without evidence?
- How can you test the strength of your deductions?

A Different Perspective

Even weak premises can lead to persuasive arguments if not examined.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Deductions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deductions/) [Floats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/floats/) [Gossamers Deductions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gossamers-deductions-4277517/) [Insistence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insistence/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Premises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/premises/) [Premises Float](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/premises-float-4277518/) [Reasoning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasoning/) [Reasonings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasonings-1757673/) [Reasonings Grasp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasonings-grasp-4277516/) [Straws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/straws/)

## Related quotes

> [In the study of ideas, it is necessary to remember that insistence on hard-headed clarity issues from sentimental feeling, as it were a mist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/in-the-study-of-ideas-it-is-necessary-to-remember-that-insistence-on-2/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [“It is not reasonings that are wanted now for there are books stuffed full of stoical reasonings. What is wanted, then? The man who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/it-is-not-reasonings-that-are-wanted-now-for-there-are-books-stuffed/)

[Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/)

> [“reasonings on this subject can only be drawn from effects to causes; and that every argument, deducted from causes to effects, must of necessity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/reasonings-on-this-subject-can-only-be-drawn-from-effects-to-causes/)

[David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/)

> [Love is not a product of reasonings and statistics. It just comes-none knows whence-and cannot explain itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/love-is-not-a-product-of-reasonings-and-statistics-it-just-comes-none/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [There is a tradition of opposition between adherents of induction and of deduction. In my view it would be just as sensible for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/there-is-a-tradition-of-opposition-between-adherents-of-induction-and/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [If, occasionally, historical evidence does not square with formulated laws, it should be remembered that a law is but a deduction from experience and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-velikovsky/if-occasionally-historical-evidence-does-not-square-with-formulated/)

[Immanuel Velikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-velikovsky/)

> [These long chains of perfectly simple and easy reasonings by means of which geometers are accustomed to carry out their most difficult demonstrations had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/these-long-chains-of-perfectly-simple-and-easy-reasonings-by-means-of/)

[Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/)

> [No amount of reading and intelligent deduction could supplant the direct experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/no-amount-of-reading-and-intelligent-deduction-could-supplant-the/)

[John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/)

> [For chemistry is no science form'd à priori; 'tis no production of the human mind, framed by reasoning and deduction: it took its rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-boerhaave/for-chemistry-is-no-science-form-d-priori-tis-no-production-of-the/)

[Herman Boerhaave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-boerhaave/)

> [when you fall in love, you must fall in love with a man the way he is now, because marriage won't change anything, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathie-lee-gifford/when-you-fall-in-love-you-must-fall-in-love-with-a-man-the-way-he-is/)

[Kathie Lee Gifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathie-lee-gifford/)

> [All deductions having been made, democracy has done less harm, and more good, than any other form of government. It gave to human existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/all-deductions-having-been-made-democracy-has-done-less-harm-and-more/)

[Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/)

> [I should have more faith," he said; "I ought to know by this time that when a fact appears opposed to a long train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/i-should-have-more-faith-he-said-i-ought-to-know-by-this-time-that/)

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/)

> [When I began my career as a cosmologist some twenty years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-j-tipler/when-i-began-my-career-as-a-cosmologist-some-twenty-years-ago-i-was-a/)

[Frank J. Tipler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-j-tipler/)

> [There is no reason why the profoundest thoughts should not make easy and exciting reading. A profound thought is an exciting thing as exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/there-is-no-reason-why-the-profoundest-thoughts-should-not-make-easy/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Induction for deduction, with a view to construction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auguste-comte/induction-for-deduction-with-a-view-to-construction/)

[Auguste Comte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auguste-comte/)

## More by Alfred North Whitehead

> [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Philosophy begins in wonder. And, at the end, when philosophic thought has done its best, the wonder remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/philosophy-begins-in-wonder-and-at-the-end-when-philosophic-thought/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [The pursuit of mathematics is a divine madness of the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-pursuit-of-mathematics-is-a-divine-madness-of-the-human-spirit/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Without adventure all civilization is full of decay. Adventure rarely reaches its predetermined end. Columbus never reached China.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/without-adventure-all-civilization-is-full-of-decay-adventure-rarely/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Aristotle discovered all the half-truths which were necessary to the creation of science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/aristotle-discovered-all-the-half-truths-which-were-necessary-to-the/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [On the ostensible exactitude of certain branches of human knowledge, including mathematics. The exactness is a fake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/on-the-ostensible-exactitude-of-certain-branches-of-human-knowledge/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [It is this union of passionate interest in the detailed facts with equal devotion to abstract generalisation which forms the novelty in our present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/it-is-this-union-of-passionate-interest-in-the-detailed-facts-with/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Our minds are finite, and yet even in these circumstances of infinitude we are surrounded by possibilities that are infinite, and the purpose of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/our-minds-are-finite-and-yet-even-in-these-circumstances-of/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [The many become one and are increased by one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-many-become-one-and-are-increased-by-one/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/art-is-the-imposing-of-a-pattern-on-experience-and-our-aesthetic/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [The future belongs to those who can rise above the confines of the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-future-belongs-to-those-who-can-rise-above-the-confines-of-the/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Common sense is genius in homespun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/common-sense-is-genius-in-homespun/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Everyone is a philosopher. Not everyone is good at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/everyone-is-a-philosopher-not-everyone-is-good-at-it/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Do not teach too many subjects and what you teach, teach thoroughly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/do-not-teach-too-many-subjects-and-what-you-teach-teach-thoroughly/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them. Operations of thought are cavalry charges in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/civilization-advances-by-extending-the-number-of-important-operations/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

[Explore all 356 Alfred North Whitehead quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

## More Deductions quotes

> [Induction for deduction, with a view to construction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auguste-comte/induction-for-deduction-with-a-view-to-construction/)

[Auguste Comte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auguste-comte/)

> [There is no reason why the profoundest thoughts should not make easy and exciting reading. A profound thought is an exciting thing as exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/there-is-no-reason-why-the-profoundest-thoughts-should-not-make-easy/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [When I began my career as a cosmologist some twenty years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-j-tipler/when-i-began-my-career-as-a-cosmologist-some-twenty-years-ago-i-was-a/)

[Frank J. Tipler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-j-tipler/)

> [I should have more faith," he said; "I ought to know by this time that when a fact appears opposed to a long train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/i-should-have-more-faith-he-said-i-ought-to-know-by-this-time-that/)

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/)

> [All deductions having been made, democracy has done less harm, and more good, than any other form of government. It gave to human existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/all-deductions-having-been-made-democracy-has-done-less-harm-and-more/)

[Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/)

> [when you fall in love, you must fall in love with a man the way he is now, because marriage won't change anything, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathie-lee-gifford/when-you-fall-in-love-you-must-fall-in-love-with-a-man-the-way-he-is/)

[Kathie Lee Gifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathie-lee-gifford/)

> [For chemistry is no science form'd à priori; 'tis no production of the human mind, framed by reasoning and deduction: it took its rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-boerhaave/for-chemistry-is-no-science-form-d-priori-tis-no-production-of-the/)

[Herman Boerhaave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-boerhaave/)

> [No amount of reading and intelligent deduction could supplant the direct experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/no-amount-of-reading-and-intelligent-deduction-could-supplant-the/)

[John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/)

> [These long chains of perfectly simple and easy reasonings by means of which geometers are accustomed to carry out their most difficult demonstrations had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/these-long-chains-of-perfectly-simple-and-easy-reasonings-by-means-of/)

[Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/)

> [If, occasionally, historical evidence does not square with formulated laws, it should be remembered that a law is but a deduction from experience and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-velikovsky/if-occasionally-historical-evidence-does-not-square-with-formulated/)

[Immanuel Velikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-velikovsky/)

> [Any photograph has multiple meanings: indeed, to see something in the form of a photograph is to encounter a potential object of fascination. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/any-photograph-has-multiple-meanings-indeed-to-see-something-in-the/)

[Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/)

> [It seems that scientists are often attracted to beautiful theories in the way that insects are attracted to flowers — not by logical deduction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/it-seems-that-scientists-are-often-attracted-to-beautiful-theories-in/)

[Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/)

> [I presume that few who have paid any attention to the history of the Mathematical Analysis, will doubt that it has been developed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-boole/i-presume-that-few-who-have-paid-any-attention-to-the-history-of-the/)

[George Boole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-boole/)

> [Unlike every other retirement vehicle, such as IRAs and 401(k)s, you receive a tax deduction for making contributions to your HSA but don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-zane-pilzer/unlike-every-other-retirement-vehicle-such-as-iras-and-401-k-s-you/)

[Paul Zane Pilzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-zane-pilzer/)

> [The mathematician starts with a few propositions, the proof of which is so obvious that they are called self-evident, and the rest of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/the-mathematician-starts-with-a-few-propositions-the-proof-of-which/)

[Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/)

[Browse all 119 Deductions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deductions/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on gossamers for deductions.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alfred North Whitehead"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premises-and-float-on-gossamers/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Deductions"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premises-and-float-on-gossamers/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/alfred-north-whitehead-836_deductions_our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premi_2113390.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/alfred-north-whitehead-836_deductions_our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premi_2113390.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/alfred-north-whitehead-836_deductions_our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premi_2113390.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on gossamers for deductions.” — Alfred North Whitehead",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alfred North Whitehead",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Our reasonings grasp at straws for...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premises-and-float-on-gossamers/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premises-and-float-on-gossamers/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```