Backwards Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“Seeing that the Senses cannot decide our dispute, being themselves full of uncertainty, we must have recourse to Reason; there is no reason but must be built upon another reason: so here we are retreating backwards to infinity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays by Michel de Montaigne, 1580
Reason must be built on reason, because senses are unreliable, leading to infinite regress if we rely on them alone.
In simple terms: Senses are uncertain, so we need reason to guide us.
Key Takeaway
Trust reason over fleeting senses.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
logic
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- debates
- ethical decisions
- scientific inquiry
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Skepticism
infinite regress
foundationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your reasoning isn’t just another assumption?
- When do you trust intuition over analysis?
A Different Perspective
Reason can be circular if not grounded in a solid premise.
