Beliefs Quote by Criss Jami
““One can only return to the fact that even the most ordinary, good-hearted, intelligent people are literally prone to believing the most blatantly nonsensical untruths. And this comes from the realization that there are some opinions and some beliefs so incredibly inane, we may actually on occasion feel insane for not believing them; and that is probably because in giving the benefit of the doubt we self-doubt, we convince ourselves into lame passivity and blind acceptance, we tell ourselves, 'Maybe I'm just missing something here.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Nature of Belief, 2020
People, even intelligent ones, often accept absurd ideas when they doubt themselves, leading to passive acceptance of nonsense.
In simple terms: Intelligent people can believe nonsense due to self‑doubt.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek evidence.
Themes
psychology
critical thinking
belief
self‑doubt
social influence
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media consumption
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
confirmation bias
groupthink
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs have you accepted without scrutiny?
- How do you balance doubt and confidence?
A Different Perspective
Self‑doubt can also foster healthy skepticism.
