Absurdity Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“There is no absurdity so palpable but that it may be firmly planted in the human head if you only begin to inculcate it before the age of five, by constantly repeating it with an air of great solemnity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Parerga and Paralipomena, 1851
Ideas that seem ridiculous become accepted when taught early with seriousness, shaping belief.
In simple terms: Early taught ideas shape belief.
Key Takeaway
Question early teachings critically.
Themes
education
belief
psychology
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- parenting
- school curricula
- media messaging
Key Concepts
social conditioning
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do early lessons affect adult reasoning?
- Can later learning overturn early indoctrination?
A Different Perspective
Belief formation is also influenced by later experiences and evidence.
![“[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)
