Absent Quote by Daniel Dennett
“Highly technical philosophical arguments of the sort many philosophers favor are absent here. That is because I have a prior problem to deal with. I have learned that arguments, no matter how watertight, often fall on deaf ears. I am myself the author of arguments that I consider rigorous and unanswerable but that are often not such much rebutted or even dismissed as simply ignored.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking, 2013
Even rigorous arguments may be ignored; effectiveness depends on audience reception.
In simple terms: Arguments can be ignored despite rigor.
Key Takeaway
Consider audience when presenting ideas.
Themes
communication
philosophy
persuasion
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- writing
Key Concepts
rhetoric
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make rigorous ideas more accessible?
- What barriers prevent your arguments from being heard?
A Different Perspective
Rigor alone doesn’t guarantee impact; emotional appeal matters.
