Above average Quote by Alvin Plantinga
“Most of us form estimates of our intelligence, wisdom, and moral fiber that are considerably higher than an objective estimate would warrant; no doubt 90 percent of us think ourselves well above average along these lines.”
About This Quote
Source Book: God and Other Minds, 1967
People tend to overestimate their intelligence, wisdom, and morality compared to objective measures.
In simple terms: We think we are better than we really are.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and seek honest self‑assessment.
Themes
psychology
self‑perception
bias
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal development
- education
- leadership training
Key Concepts
overconfidence
self‑evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- How accurate are your self‑ratings?
- What evidence can you gather to test them?
A Different Perspective
Self‑assessment can be distorted by social desirability.
![“Since we think about ourselves so much of the time, it is comforting to assume ... that we really know the score… [But] this is not an easy assignment. [As] Santayana wrote, 'Nothing requires a rarer intellectual heroism than willingness to see one's equation written out.'” quote by Gordon Allport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f3b/gordon-allport-29384_assignments_since-we-think-about-ourselves-so-much-o_1110919.jpg)
![“Suppose we concede that if I had been born of Muslim parents in Morocco rather than Christian parents in Michigan, my beliefs would be quite different. [But] the same goes for the pluralist...If the pluralist had been born in [Morocco] he probably wouldn't be a pluralist. Does it follow that...his…” quote by Alvin Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3af/alvin-plantinga-34486_belief_suppose-we-concede-that-if-i-had-been-bo_873439.jpg)
