Reasoning Quote by Donald Knuth
““Nearly every example of faulty reasoning that has been published is accompanied by the phrase "of course" or its equivalent.””
About This Quote
People often hide logical errors behind assumed truths, using phrases like “of course” to mask flawed reasoning.
In simple terms: Assumed truths conceal logical flaws.
Beware of unexamined premises.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- debate
- policy analysis
- media commentary
- technical documentation
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- teaching logical analysis
- improving argumentative clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- What premises am I taking for granted?
- How does language shape my perception of validity?