Agreement Quote by Bertrand Russell
“The opposition of instinct and reason is mainly illusory. Instinct, intuition, or insight is what first leads to the beliefs which subsequent reason confirms or confutes; but the confirmation, where it is possible, consists, in the last analysis, of agreement with other beliefs no less instinctive. Reason is a harmonizing, controlling force rather than a creative one. Even in the most purely logical realms, it is insight that first arrives at what is new.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Problems of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell, 1912
Human thought blends gut feeling with logical analysis; intuition sparks ideas, while reason evaluates and integrates them.
In simple terms: Instinct sparks ideas, reason refines them.
Key Takeaway
Balance intuition with critical thinking.
Themes
cognition
intuition
reason
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- making decisions
- scientific research
- artistic creation
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Epistemology
creative insight
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when to trust intuition over analysis?
- When does reason suppress creativity?
A Different Perspective
Reason alone cannot generate novelty without prior intuition.
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