Acquiescence Quote by John Allen Paulos
“Innumeracy and pseudoscience are often associated, in part because of the ease with which mathematical certainty can be invoked, to bludgeon the innumerate into a dumb acquiescence.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper, 1995
People often accept pseudoscience because it sounds mathematically certain, which can coerce the numerically illiterate into passive agreement.
In simple terms: Math‑like certainty can make false claims seem credible.
Key Takeaway
Question apparent certainty in dubious claims.
Themes
critical thinking
science literacy
skepticism
Mood
skeptical
educational
Type
analytical
informative
When to use this quote
- evaluating health fads
- debating conspiracy theories
- teaching numeracy
- media analysis
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
misinformation
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would change your mind?
- How can we improve public numeracy?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone can discern subtle statistical tricks.
![“[The purpose of a written constitution is] to bind up the several branches of government by certain laws, which, when they transgress, their acts shall become nullities; to render unnecessary an appeal to the people, or in other words a rebellion, on every infraction of their rights, on the peril…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/867/thomas-jefferson-43_acquiescence_the-purpose-of-a-written-constitution-is_244689.jpg)
