Evidence Quote by Bertrand Russell
““[F]or all refutation must begin with some piece of knowledge which the disputants share; from blank doubt, no argument can begin.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell, 1912
Argumentation requires shared knowledge; without common ground, doubt cannot be addressed.
In simple terms: You need shared facts to argue.
Establish common ground before debating.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- legal negotiations
- team meetings
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you share?
- How can you verify shared knowledge?
If parties cannot agree on basic facts, discussion stalls.