Appeals Quote by Dale Jamieson
![“[This approach] displays the characteristic philosophical lust to vanquish the skeptic by arguing him out of his skepticism, without appeal to moral and political considerations or to the facts of everyday life. [...] But more often than not, if you give the skeptic everything he wants, then he…” quote by Dale Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f68/dale-jamieson-4075_appeals_this-approach-displays-the-characteristi_1272080.jpg)
“[This approach] displays the characteristic philosophical lust to vanquish the skeptic by arguing him out of his skepticism, without appeal to moral and political considerations or to the facts of everyday life. [...] But more often than not, if you give the skeptic everything he wants, then he will be successful in repulsing your attacks and terrorizing your position.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Philosophy and Public Policy, 2020
The argument tries to defeat skepticism purely by logic, ignoring moral, political, or everyday contexts, yet giving skeptics all they demand often backfires.
In simple terms: Logical attacks ignore real‑world context, letting skeptics win.
Key Takeaway
Consider broader contexts when debating.
Themes
philosophy
skepticism
argumentation
ethics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
debate
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- policy discussion
- public forum
- media commentary
Key Concepts
logic
political theory
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How can moral and practical concerns strengthen an argument?
- When does pure logic fail in persuasion?
A Different Perspective
Skeptics may exploit narrow logical focus to undermine positions.
