Action Quote by Joseph Alsop
“A man who has bought a theory will fight a vigorous rearguard action against the facts.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Opinion piece, 1965
Clinging to a theory leads to defensive arguments that ignore factual evidence.
In simple terms: Defending theories can block facts.
Key Takeaway
Stay open to evidence over doctrine.
Themes
critical thinking
science
truth
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic debates
- policy making
- media analysis
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test your beliefs?
- What facts challenge your theory?
A Different Perspective
Rigid theories can hinder progress.
![“Look at what I am proposing, and we [wih Bernie Sanders] have a vigorous agreement here. We both want to reign in the excesses of Wall Street. I also want to reign in the excesses of Johnson Controls that we bailed out when they were an autoparts company, and we saved the auto industry, and now…” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea8/hillary-clinton-51_agreement_look-at-what-i-am-proposing-and-we-wih-b_49820.jpg)
