Common denominator Quote by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
““I try to make myself realize that I have learned the difference between right and wrong. That there is such a thing as right and wrong. But instead I've learned that these are things - this "right", this "wrong"- these are things that we are told. Simply told to believe. These are things we have not tested. And while most of the things we are told may be true, it is not until we have tested them, taunted them, flaunted them, that we truly know they are right. Or wrong. Or true. Or false. Or somewhere in-the-fucking-between. And I think I know now a little better which is which. And I also know I'll never quit testing this world. I'll never rely on common knowledge. Or common denominators. Or even common sense, for that matter.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast "The Art of Charm", 2019
The speaker argues that moral judgments are socially taught, not innate, and must be personally tested to discover truth.
In simple terms: Moral truths are learned, not given, and need personal testing.
Key Takeaway
Question everything, test beliefs.
Themes
philosophy
critical thinking
morality
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- ethical debates
- education reform
- media literacy
Key Concepts
social conditioning
epistemology
personal truth
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs have you never questioned?
- How do you balance skepticism with trust?
A Different Perspective
Testing beliefs can be exhausting and may lead to paralysis.
