Class Quote by Richard M. Weaver
“A prejudice may be an unreasoned judgment, he [Hibben] pointed out, but an unreasoned judgment is not necessarily an illogical judgment. ... First, there are those judgments whose verification has simply dropped out of memory. ... The second type of unreasoned judgments we hold is the opinions we adopt from others ... The third class of judgments in Professor Hibben's list comprises those which have subconscious origin. The material that furnishes their support does not reach the focal point of consciousness, but psychology insists upon its existence.”
About This Quote
Prejudices can be unreasoned judgments, but not all unreasoned judgments are illogical; they arise from memory loss, social influence, or subconscious sources.
In simple terms: Not all gut feelings are irrational, but they may lack reasoning.
Examine the source of your judgments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- decision making
- political discourse
- media consumption
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports your belief?
- How might hidden biases shape your view?
Some judgments may be deeply entrenched and resistant to change.