God Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
![“[I]t is fundamentally false that our search for higher grounds of knowledge, more general truths, springs from the presupposition of an object unconditioned in its being [i.e., Kant's principle of reason], or has anything whatever in common with this. Moreover, how should it be essential to the…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1b1/arthur-schopenhauer-226_god_i-t-is-fundamentally-false-that-our-sear_2655847.jpg)
““[I]t is fundamentally false that our search for higher grounds of knowledge, more general truths, springs from the presupposition of an object unconditioned in its being [i.e., Kant's principle of reason], or has anything whatever in common with this. Moreover, how should it be essential to the reason to presuppose something which it must know to be an absurdity as soon as it reflects? The source of that conception of the unconditioned is rather to be found only in the indolence of the individual who wishes by means of it to get rid of all further questions, whether his own or of others, though entirely without justification.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: The World as Will and Representation, 1818
He argues that seeking absolute, unconditioned truth is a false premise; it stems from a desire to avoid further questioning, not from genuine reasoning.
In simple terms: Chasing ultimate truth is a lazy shortcut.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions; embrace inquiry.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
critical thinking
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal reflection
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Kantian critique
logic
intellectual humility
Questions to Reflect On
- What unexamined assumptions guide your beliefs?
- Is it possible to know anything without presuppositions?
A Different Perspective
Assuming unconditioned truths can stifle deeper understanding.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
