Doubt Quote by Leonardo da Vinci
““To me it seems that those sciences are vain and full of error which are not born of experience, mother of all certainty, first-hand experience which in its origins, or means, or end has passed through one of the five senses. And if we doubt the certainty of everything which passes through the senses, how much more ought we to doubt things contrary to these senses – ribelli ad essi sensi – such as the existence of God or of the soul or similar things over which there is always dispute and contention. And in fact it happens that whenever reason is wanting men to cry out against one another, which does not happen with certainties. For this reason we shall say that where the cry of controversy is heard, there is no true science, because the truth has one single end and when this is published, argument is destroyed for ever.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Treatise on the Painting of the Human Body, 1490
The quote argues that true knowledge must stem from direct sensory experience; concepts beyond the senses, like God or the soul, are uncertain and lead to endless debate.
In simple terms: Knowledge should be based on what we can see, hear, touch, smell, or taste.
Key Takeaway
Rely on empirical evidence.
Themes
epistemology
skepticism
science
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- philosophical inquiry
- education
- debates on religion
Key Concepts
empiricism
ontology
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we ever know anything beyond our senses?
- How do we balance empirical data with abstract reasoning?
A Different Perspective
It may undervalue theoretical reasoning that can predict unseen phenomena.
