Logic Quote by Antoine Louis Claude Destutt de Tracy
““I have previously reduced the whole science of logic to two facts. The first is that our perceptions being every thing for us, we are perfectly, completely, and necessarily sure of whatever we actually feel. The second is that consequently none of our judgments, separately taken, can be erroneous: inasmuch as we see one idea in another it is actually there; but their falsity, when it takes place, is purely relative to anterior judgments, which we permit to subsist; and it consists in this, that we believe the idea in which we perceive a new element to be the same as that we have always had under the same sign, when it is really different, since the new element which we actually see there is incompatible with some of those which we have previously seen; so that to avoid contradiction we must either take away the former or not admit the latter.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Essay on the Nature of Logic, 1800
Our perceptions give us certainty, but judgments are relative and can conflict, requiring revision to avoid contradictions.
In simple terms: Perception feels certain; judgments can conflict.
Key Takeaway
Check assumptions when new evidence appears.
Themes
logic
philosophy
epistemology
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
skeptical
Type
Logic:1
Philosophy:1
Science:0
Philosophy of Mind:0
Science Logic:0
Avoid Contradiction:1
Logic Facts:1
Anterior Judgments:1
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- philosophical discussion
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
perception
judgment
contradiction
revision
relativity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you resolve conflicting judgments?
- What role does perception play in your decisions?
A Different Perspective
Perceptions alone cannot guarantee truth; context matters.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
