Time Quote by Christopher Hitchens
““A man knows, not only that he now is, but also that there was a time when he did not exist; consequently there must have been a cause. But we can only infer, from effects, causes exactly adequate to those effects. There certainly is a generative power which is effected by particular instruments; we cannot prove that it is inherent in these instruments, nor is the contrary hypothesis capable of demonstration. We admit that the generative power is incomprehensible, but to suppose that the same effects are produced by an eternal Omnipotent and Omniscient Being, leaves the cause in the same obscurity, but renders it more incomprehensible.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Limits of Reason,” 2005
Existence implies a cause; we infer causes from effects, but the ultimate cause remains unknowable, making both natural and divine explanations equally obscure.
In simple terms: Cause of existence is unknown; both science and religion lack proof.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty about ultimate origins.
Themes
metaphysics
ontology
epistemology
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- scientific inquiry
- personal belief
Key Concepts
philosophy of religion
causality
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would satisfy you?
- Is uncertainty a problem?
A Different Perspective
Divine explanations may not resolve mystery.
![“It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them aren't even young and beautiful now.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a86/christopher-hitchens-117_beautiful_it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense_10462.jpg)
![“[Religion] attacks us in our deepest integrity - the core of our self-respect. Religion says that we would not know right from wrong, we would not know an evil, wicked act from a decent human act without divine permission, without divine authority or without, even worse, either the fear of a…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab6/christopher-hitchens-117_action_religion-attacks-us-in-our-deepest-integ_23299.jpg)
