Doubt Quote by Bertrand Russell
““Nevertheless the opinion of experts, when it is unanimous, must be accepted by non-experts as more likely to be right than the opposite opinion. The scepticism that I advocate amounts only to this: (1) that when the experts are agreed, the opposite opinion cannot be held to be certain; (2) that when they are agreed, no opinion can be regarded as certain by a non-expert; and (3) that when they all hold that no sufficient grounds for a positive opinion exist, the ordinary man would do well to suspend his judgment.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Value of Expert Opinion", 1919
Unanimous expert consensus should be trusted more than opposing views, yet absolute certainty is impossible.
In simple terms: Experts agree, but certainty is still uncertain.
Key Takeaway
Respect expertise but remain open to doubt.
Themes
knowledge
expertise
uncertainty
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- medical advice
- scientific research
- public policy
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
consensus
Questions to Reflect On
- When should we question expert consensus?
- How do we balance trust and skepticism?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on consensus can suppress minority insights.
![“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)
