Able Quote by Bertrand Russell
“If any philosopher had been asked for a definition of infinity, he might have produced some unintelligible rigmarole, but he would certainly not have been able to give a definition that had any meaning at all.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Problems of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell, 1912
Infinity cannot be meaningfully defined; attempts become incoherent and lack practical significance.
In simple terms: Infinity defies clear definition.
Key Takeaway
Accept limits of language when discussing concepts.
Themes
philosophy
mathematics
logic
conceptual limits
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- teaching
- public philosophy discussions
Key Concepts
metaphysics
epistemology
infinite regress
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we use useful approximations of infinity?
- What does this say about the limits of human knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that practical applications still benefit from working definitions.
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