--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If reason is a universal faculty, the…" description: "\"If reason is a universal faculty, the decision of the common mind is the nearest criterion of truth.\" — George Bancroft" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/george-bancroft-20473_common_if-reason-is-a-universal-faculty-the-dec_2592348.png" --- # If reason is a universal faculty, the decision of the… ![“If reason is a universal faculty, the decision of the common mind is the nearest criterion of truth.” quote by George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/george-bancroft-20473_common_if-reason-is-a-universal-faculty-the-dec_2592348.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/george-bancroft-20473_common_if-reason-is-a-universal-faculty-the-dec_2592348.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/george-bancroft-20473_common_if-reason-is-a-universal-faculty-the-dec_2592348.png) > “If reason is a universal faculty, the decision of the common mind is the nearest criterion of truth.” [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement argues that universal reason leads to common decisions, which serve as a practical measure of truth. **In simple terms:** Reason leads to shared decisions, indicating truth. Key Takeaway Value collective reasoning for truth‑seeking. Themes philosophy reason truth Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - committees - policy formation - scientific consensus - public discourse Key Concepts decision making universal logic Questions to Reflect On - How can diverse perspectives improve decisions? - When should we trust majority opinion? A Different Perspective Consensus may overlook minority insights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Reason is universal because no attempted challenge to its results can avoid appealing to reason in the end-by claiming, for example, that what was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/reason-is-universal-because-no-attempted-challenge-to-its-results-can/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Every formula of every religion has in this age of reason, to submit to the acid test of reason and universal assent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-formula-of-every-religion-has-in-this-age-of-reason-to-submit/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Reason must be the universal rule and guide; all things must be done according to reason without allowing oneself to be swayed by emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cardinal-richelieu/reason-must-be-the-universal-rule-and-guide-all-things-must-be-done/) [Cardinal Richelieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cardinal-richelieu/) > [What a theologian feels as true, must be false: one has therein almost a criterion of truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/what-a-theologian-feels-as-true-must-be-false-one-has-therein-almost/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Whatever a theologian regards as true must be false: there you have almost a criterion of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/whatever-a-theologian-regards-as-true-must-be-false-there-you-have/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [In the face of the idea that truth might afford the opposite of satisfaction and turn out to be completely shocking to humanity at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-horkheimer/in-the-face-of-the-idea-that-truth-might-afford-the-opposite-of/) [Max Horkheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-horkheimer/) > [To regard the successful experiences which ensue from a belief as a criterion of its truth is one thing--and a thing that is sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-pepperell-montague/to-regard-the-successful-experiences-which-ensue-from-a-belief-as-a/) William Pepperell Montague > [The criterion of truth is that it works even if nobody is prepared to acknowledge it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-criterion-of-truth-is-that-it-works-even-if-nobody-is-prepared-to/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [As to the pure all things are pure, so the common mind sees far more vulgarity in others than the mind developed in genuine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/as-to-the-pure-all-things-are-pure-so-the-common-mind-sees-far-more/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [At any given period in history the ideas of the common mind are found to antedate the facts. 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