Ambiguous Quote by Daniel Dennett
“Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire has been ethically ambiguous. If you want to reason about faith, and offer a reasoned (and reason responsive) defense of faith as an extra category of belief worthy of special consideration, I'm eager to play. I certainly grant the existence of the phenomenon of faith; what I want to see is a reasoned ground for taking faith seriously as a way of getting to the truth , and not, say, just as a way people comfort themselves and each other”
About This Quote
Technological progress often raises moral dilemmas; the author seeks a rational basis for treating faith as a legitimate epistemic tool rather than merely emotional comfort.
In simple terms: Faith as a reasoned epistemic stance
Key Takeaway
Seek rational justification for faith
Themes
ethics of technology
epistemology of belief
faith and reason
moral ambiguity
truth seeking
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
critical
Type
philosophical
theoretical
reflective
When to use this quote
- debates on science vs religion
- interfaith dialogues
- philosophical seminars
- ethical policy discussions
- personal spiritual inquiry
Key Concepts
technological impact
ethical ambiguity
faith as belief
rational justification
Practical Applications
- philosophical essays
- academic courses on faith and reason
Questions to Reflect On
- Can faith be defended without appeal to evidence?
- What criteria make a belief epistemically respectable?
