Atheism Quote by George H. Smith
““It is my firm conviction that man has nothing to gain, emotionally or otherwise, by adhering to a falsehood, regardless of how comfortable or sacred that falsehood may appear. Anyone who claims, on the one hand, that he is concerned with human welfare, and who demands, on the other hand, that man must suspend or renounce the use of his reason, is contradicting himself. There can be no knowledge of what is good for man apart from knowledge of reality and human nature, and there is no manner in which this knowledge can be acquired except through reason. To advocate irrationality is to advocate that which is destructive to human life.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Case for Reason” by George H. Smith, 1995
Reason is essential for truth and human flourishing; falsehoods, even comforting ones, hinder progress and welfare.
In simple terms: Reason is truth; falsehoods harm.
Key Takeaway
Use reason, reject irrationality.
Themes
reason
truth
human flourishing
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
argumentative
When to use this quote
- debates on policy
- personal decision making
- education reform
- media analysis
Key Concepts
epistemology
ethics
rationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reason guide moral choices?
- When is emotion a valid guide?
A Different Perspective
Reason alone may not address emotional needs or cultural contexts.
![“The negative way [of describing God] is a cardboard prop of Christianity to conceal its unknowable God. When this prop collapses, theistic agnosticism emerges, complete with its package of contradictions and non-sensical utterances.” quote by George H. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86f/george-h-smith-20207_agnosticism_the-negative-way-of-describing-god-is-a_433133.jpg)
