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Empiricism Quote by Mike Hockney

“The human senses are known to be astoundingly unreliable instruments, easily deceived and fallible. Would you bet everything on shoddy detection equipment? That’s what the materialists have done. Above all, they sneer at the concept of the soul (and mind) because it is something that cannot be…” quote by Mike Hockney
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““The human senses are known to be astoundingly unreliable instruments, easily deceived and fallible. Would you bet everything on shoddy detection equipment? That’s what the materialists have done. Above all, they sneer at the concept of the soul (and mind) because it is something that cannot be detected with the human senses. Would the cosmic mathematical mind reject the soul? The numbers zero and infinity rationally characterize it. Why would zero and infinity be forbidden? Just because the human senses aren’t configured to detect them? Why should the dubious human senses be the determinants of what is mathematically and logically permitted to exist? Human senses are the products of evolution and are designed to allow us to live in this world; they did not evolve as organs of truth to allow us to determine the fundamental nature of reality. […] Most people alive today are irrational. Animals are irrational. […] Even scientists have demonstrated that they will force reason and logic to obey the senses rather than force the senses to obey reason and logic. The question of the existence of the soul is one for reason, not for the human senses. Lack of evidence is not evidence of absence.””

Mike Hockney

About This Quote

Source Essay: Philosophy of Mind, 2020

Human senses are unreliable for discovering metaphysical truths; reason, not senses, should guide belief in concepts like the soul.

In simple terms: Senses can mislead; use reason to explore unseen realities.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions, seek logical evidence.

Themes

skepticism epistemology metaphysics

Mood

critical inquisitive

Type

philosophical academic

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • personal belief formation
  • scientific inquiry

Key Concepts

reliability of perception rationalism concept of soul

Questions to Reflect On

  • What role should empirical data play in metaphysical discussions?
  • Can reason and senses complement each other?
A Different Perspective

Sensory evidence still valuable in empirical science; dismissing it entirely limits knowledge.

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