Absolutes Quote by Peter Kreeft
“Intellectuals resist faith longer because they can: where ordinary people are helpless before the light, intellectuals are clever enough to spin webs of darkness around their minds and hide in them. That's why only Ph.D.s believe any of the 100 most absurd ideas in the world such as Absolute Relativism, or the Objective Truth of Subjectivism, of the Meaningfulness of Meaninglessness and the Meaninglessness of Meaning, which is the best definition of Deconstructionism I know.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Introduction to Philosophy, Peter Kreeft, 1995
Intellectuals cling to complex, paradoxical ideas to avoid confronting simple truths, using their intellect to create confusing frameworks.
In simple terms: Intellectuals hide from simple truths with complex ideas.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek clarity.
Themes
intellectualism
skepticism
truth
complexity
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal belief formation
- media analysis
Key Concepts
relativism
constructionism
philosophical paradoxes
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the desire for complex explanations?
- How can simplicity be valued in intellectual work?
A Different Perspective
Intellectuals may also genuinely explore ideas, not just avoid truth.
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