Accepting Quote by Bertrand Russell
“If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Problems of Philosophy, 1912
People tend to accept ideas that match their instincts and reject those that conflict, unless evidence is overwhelming.
In simple terms: Instincts bias belief; accept matching ideas, reject conflicting ones.
Key Takeaway
Question your instincts and seek strong evidence.
Themes
cognition
bias
myths
evidence
instincts
Mood
skeptical
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
psychological
analytical
When to use this quote
- political persuasion
- personal decision making
- scientific debate
- media consumption
Key Concepts
confirmation bias
motivational reasoning
myth formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when instinct overrides evidence?
- What strategies help evaluate evidence objectively?
A Different Perspective
If evidence is strong but conflicts with instincts, people may still reject it.
![“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)
