Arithmetic Quote by Bertrand Russell
“All that passes for knowledge can be arranged in a hierarchy of degrees of certainty, with arithmetic and the facts of perception at the top.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Problems of Philosophy, 1912
Knowledge can be ranked by certainty, with mathematics and sensory data at the highest level of reliability.
In simple terms: Knowledge hierarchy: math and perception are most certain.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize reliable evidence in reasoning.
Themes
epistemology
philosophy
logic
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- scientific method
- critical thinking
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
certainty hierarchy
empiricism
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria determine a claim’s certainty?
- How do we handle knowledge that sits between perception and abstraction?
A Different Perspective
Even high‑certainty knowledge may be limited by interpretation.
![“If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subsciously aware of having no good reason for thinking as you do. [...] The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is used in theology, not in…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d41/bertrand-russell-69_angry_if-an-opinion-contrary-to-your-own-makes_997355.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
