Skip to content

Life Quote by Bertrand Russell

“When two things have frequently existed in close temporal contiguity, either comes in time to cause the other.” quote by Bertrand Russell
Download Open image
““When two things have frequently existed in close temporal contiguity, either comes in time to cause the other.””

Bertrand Russell

About This Quote

Source Book: The Problems of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell, 1912

Frequent co‑occurrence of events suggests possible causal links, but correlation does not guarantee causation.

In simple terms: Close timing hints at cause, but not always.

Key Takeaway

Question apparent connections critically.

Themes

philosophy logic causation science critical thinking

Mood

analytical skeptical

Type

philosophical scientific

When to use this quote

  • research analysis
  • scientific studies
  • every reasoning

Key Concepts

correlation temporal proximity causal inference

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we test if one event truly causes another?
  • What alternative explanations exist for observed correlations?
A Different Perspective

Causality may be indirect or coincidental.

4.9 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Bertrand Russell

Explore all 1,620 Bertrand Russell quotes

More Life quotes

Browse all 265,682 Life quotes