Absolute truth Quote by Philip Meyer
““When I say that a thing is true, I mean that I cannot help believing it… But ... I do not venture to assume that my inabilities in the way of thought are inabilities of the universe. I therefore define truth as the system of my limitations, and leave absolute truth for those who are better equipped… Certitude is not the test of certainty. We have been cock-sure of many things that were not so.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Nature of Truth, Philip Meyer, 1995
Truth is framed by personal cognitive limits; absolute truth is beyond our capacity, so we accept provisional truths.
In simple terms: Truth depends on our mind’s limits.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty.
Themes
epistemology
humility
knowledge
certainty
philosophy
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- journalism
- education
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
subjectivity
relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria help us trust provisional truths?
- How do we balance humility with confidence?
A Different Perspective
Can lead to excessive skepticism.
