Argument Quote by Richard Crossman
“One of the difficulties of politics is that politicians are shocked by those who are really prepared to let their thinking reach any conclusion. Political thinking consists in deciding upon the conclusion first and then finding good arguments for it. An open mind is considered irresponsible- and perhaps it really is.”
About This Quote
The quote critiques political reasoning that starts with a predetermined conclusion, suggesting that open-mindedness is seen as irresponsible, and highlights the difficulty of genuine critical thinking in politics.
In simple terms: Politics often begins with a conclusion, then finds arguments, discouraging open-mindedness.
Key Takeaway
Beware of conclusions‑first reasoning in politics.
Themes
politics
critical thinking
open‑mindedness
bias
argumentation
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political commentary
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- debate preparation
- education reform
- media literacy
- public discourse
Key Concepts
philosophy
logic
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster genuine open‑minded debate?
- What safeguards prevent conclusion‑driven reasoning?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex political processes.
