Absolute certainty Quote by Brian Christian
““There is no such thing as absolute certainty, but there is assurance sufficient for the purposes of human life. —JOHN STUART MILL””
About This Quote
Source Book: Pragmatic Thinking and Learning by Brian Christian, 2019
Absolute certainty is unattainable, yet sufficient confidence is needed to act and live meaningfully.
In simple terms: We must act with enough confidence, not perfect certainty.
Key Takeaway
Act with practical confidence, not perfection.
Themes
philosophy
decision‑making
epistemology
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- business decisions
- personal goals
- scientific research
- daily choices
Key Concepts
certainty
practicality
human limits
Questions to Reflect On
- What level of confidence is enough for you?
- How do you balance doubt and action?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can lead to reckless actions.
![“We do know, with absolute certainty, that [Saddam] is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon.” quote by Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb4/dick-cheney-1810_absolute-certainty_we-do-know-with-absolute-certainty-that_363969.jpg)
