---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is also naïve empiricism to provide…"
description: "\"It is also naïve empiricism to provide, in support of some argument, series of eloquent confirmatory quotes by dead authorities. By searching, you can ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_argument_it-is-also-na-ve-empiricism-to-provide-i_1742276.png"
---

#  It is also naïve empiricism to provide, in support of some…

![“It is also naïve empiricism to provide, in support of some argument, series of eloquent confirmatory quotes by dead authorities. By searching, you can always find someone who made a well-sounding statement that confirms your point of view and, on every topic, it is possible to find another dead…” quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_argument_it-is-also-na-ve-empiricism-to-provide-i_1742276.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_argument_it-is-also-na-ve-empiricism-to-provide-i_1742276.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae6/nassim-nicholas-taleb-352_argument_it-is-also-na-ve-empiricism-to-provide-i_1742276.png)

> “It is also naïve empiricism to provide, in support of some argument, series of eloquent confirmatory quotes by dead authorities. By searching, you can always find someone who made a well-sounding statement that confirms your point of view and, on every topic, it is possible to find another dead thinker who said the exact opposite.”

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Relying on famous quotes for proof is naive; any argument can be supported by selective authority, even opposites.

**In simple terms:** Using dead experts to back claims is flawed; contradictions abound.

Key Takeaway

Seek evidence beyond appealing authority.

Themes

critical thinking argumentation skepticism

Mood

analytical skeptical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- academic writing
- political debate
- media analysis
- legal arguments

Key Concepts

confirmation bias epistemic arrogance authority reliance

Questions to Reflect On

- What evidence supports your claim beyond authority?
- How do you verify the relevance of a quote?

A Different Perspective

Quotes can be misused; context matters for interpreting authority.

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