Skip to content

Human reason Quote by Leo Strauss

“All human thought, including scientific thought, rests on premises which cannot be validated by human reason and which came from historical epoch to historical epoch.” quote by Leo Strauss
Download Open image
““All human thought, including scientific thought, rests on premises which cannot be validated by human reason and which came from historical epoch to historical epoch.””

Leo Strauss

About This Quote

Source Book: Natural Right and History, 1950

Human and, even scientific, relies on unprovable premises that shift across eras.

In simple terms: Thought rests on unprovable, changing premises.

Key Takeaway

Question your assumptions.

Themes

philosophy epistemology history science

Mood

reflective critical

Type

theoretical analytical

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • policy making
  • ethical debates
  • scientific modeling

Key Concepts

foundationalism relativism historicity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What premises do you accept without proof?
  • How do historical contexts shape your beliefs?
A Different Perspective

Premises may be unknowable, limiting certainty.

3.3 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Leo Strauss

Explore all 55 Leo Strauss quotes

More Human reason quotes

Browse all 134 Human reason quotes