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Knowledge Quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

“So knowledge grows by subtraction much more than by addition—given that what we know today might turn out to be wrong but what we know to be wrong cannot turn out to be right, at least not easily.” quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
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““So knowledge grows by subtraction much more than by addition—given that what we know today might turn out to be wrong but what we know to be wrong cannot turn out to be right, at least not easily.””

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

About This Quote

Source Book: Antifragile, 2012

Knowledge advances by discarding falsehoods, not just adding facts.

In simple terms: Subtract to grow knowledge.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions regularly.

Themes

knowledge uncertainty learning

Mood

skeptical inquisitive

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

  • research
  • education
  • policy making

Key Concepts

critical thinking epistemology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What beliefs should you test?
  • How to avoid losing valuable info?
A Different Perspective

Discarding may lose useful ideas.

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