Accepting Quote by C. D. Broad
“As so often happens in philosophy, clever people accept a false general principle on a priori grounds and then devote endless labour and ingenuity to explaining away plain facts which obviously conflict with it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Philosophical Essays, 1938
Intelligent people sometimes cling to a priori principles, spending effort to rationalize facts that contradict them.
In simple terms: Clinging to ideas despite contradictory evidence.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek evidence.
Themes
philosophy
critical thinking
bias
intellectual humility
Mood
thoughtful
skeptical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- personal belief systems
- scientific inquiry
Key Concepts
a priori reasoning
confirmation bias
epistemic stubbornness
Questions to Reflect On
- What principles do you accept without evidence?
- How can you test them against reality?
A Different Perspective
May overlook practical solutions by over‑intellectualizing.
