--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The definition of a philosopher is a…" description: "\"“The definition of a philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black hat, which isn’t really there. And the definition of a theologian is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/michael-ruse-35791_blind-man_the-definition-of-a-philosopher-is-a-bli_812870.jpg" --- # The definition of a philosopher is a blind man in a dark… ![“The definition of a philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black hat, which isn’t really there. And the definition of a theologian is he’s somebody who finds it.” quote by Michael Ruse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/michael-ruse-35791_blind-man_the-definition-of-a-philosopher-is-a-bli_812870.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/michael-ruse-35791_blind-man_the-definition-of-a-philosopher-is-a-bli_812870.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/915/michael-ruse-35791_blind-man_the-definition-of-a-philosopher-is-a-bli_812870.jpg) > ““The definition of a philosopher is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black hat, which isn’t really there. And the definition of a theologian is he’s somebody who finds it.”” [Michael Ruse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ruse/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Philosophers search for truths that may not exist, while theologians claim to have found them. **In simple terms:** Philosophers chase elusive truths; theologians claim certainty. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about knowledge. Themes epistemology truth belief Mood reflective critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - academic debate - personal belief - religious discourse Key Concepts existentialism skepticism Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to find something that isn’t there? - How do we validate knowledge claims? A Different Perspective The claim may overlook that both fields can coexist and inform each other. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blind man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind-man/) [Dark room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-room/) [Definition Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definition-philosopher-280295/) [Definition Theologian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definition-theologian-280297/) [Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosopher Blind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher-blind-280296/) [Philosophers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophers/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Theologian Somebody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theologian-somebody-280298/) [Theologians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theologians/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) ## Related quotes > [“A philosopher is a blind man in a dark cellar at midnight looking for a black cat that isn't there. 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Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) ## More by Michael Ruse > [Being a philosophical naturalist does not mean that one thinks that science can provide all of the answers. 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