Causation Quote by Robert A. Heinlein
““You are telling me that I did something because I was going to do something.” “Well, didn’t you? You were there.” “No, I didn’t—no… well, maybe I did, but it didn’t feel like it.” “Why should you expect it to? It was something totally new to your experience.” “But… but—” Wilson took a deep breath and got control of himself. Then he reached back into his academic philosophical concepts and produced the notion he had been struggling to express. “It denies all reasonable theories of causation. You would have me believe that causation can be completely circular. I went through because I came back from going through to persuade myself to go through. That’s silly.” “Well, didn’t you?" ~ By His Bootstraps / Robert A. Heinlein””
About This Quote
Source Novel: By His Bootstraps, Robert A. Heinlein, 1941
The passage critiques circular causation, arguing that events cannot be both cause and effect simultaneously, and highlights the absurdity of self‑referential explanations.
In simple terms: Circular causation is illogical.
Key Takeaway
Avoid reasoning that loops back on itself.
Themes
philosophy
logic
causation
paradox
self‑reference
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- theoretical debate
- academic discussion
- writing fiction
Key Concepts
causality
infinite regress
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify circular reasoning in arguments?
- Can self‑reference ever be valid?
A Different Perspective
Circular causation can undermine coherent explanation.
