Agitation Quote by David Hume
“What peculiar privilege has this little agitation of the brain which we call thought, that we must thus make it the model of the whole universe? Our partiality in our own favour does indeed present it on all occasions; but sound philosophy ought carefully to guard against so natural an illusion.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Treatise of Human Nature, 1739
Thought is mistakenly treated as a perfect representation of reality, leading to bias; philosophy must guard against this illusion.
In simple terms: Thought is not a perfect model of reality.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions, seek broader perspectives.
Themes
philosophy
bias
perception
epistemology
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal decision making
- scientific research
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
modeling
illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify that your thoughts reflect reality?
- What methods help reduce personal bias?
A Different Perspective
Human cognition is limited and can mislead.
