Atheism Quote by Bertrand Russell
“There is no logical impossibility in the hypothesis that the world sprang into being five minutes ago, exactly as it then was, with a population that "remembered" a wholly unreal past. There is no logically necessary connection between events at different times; therefore nothing that is happening now or will happen in the future can disprove the hypothesis that the world began five minutes ago.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The World As It Is", 1935
The hypothesis that the world began five minutes ago is logically possible, highlighting limits of empirical evidence.
In simple terms: We can’t prove the world isn’t brand‑new.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about evidence and reality.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
logic
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- debates on cosmology
- philosophical discussions
- science education
Key Concepts
skepticism
temporal ontology
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would you need to reject the hypothesis?
- How does this thought experiment affect belief in scientific knowledge?
A Different Perspective
It challenges practical reasoning about history.
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