Accuracy Quote by Denis Diderot
“The philosopher forms his principles on an infinity of particular observations. He does not confuse truth with plausibility, he takes for truth what is true, for false what is false, for doubtful what is doubtful, and probable what is probable. The philosophical spirit is thus a spirit of observation and accuracy.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Philosophical Dictionary, Denis Diderot, 1765
The philosopher builds ideas from countless specific observations, distinguishing truth from plausibility and assigning labels only to what is certain, doubtful, or probable.
In simple terms: Philosophers base ideas on many observations and keep truth separate from guesswork.
Key Takeaway
Observe closely, label accurately.
Themes
observation
accuracy
philosophy
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
instructive
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- journalism
- policy analysis
- education
- legal reasoning
Key Concepts
epistemology
empiricism
logic
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure observations are reliable?
- When should you accept probability over certainty?
A Different Perspective
It can be hard to separate doubt from probability in complex issues.
