Bank account Quote by Theodore Dalrymple
““Metaphysics, said the late nineteenth-century idealist philosopher Bradley, is the finding of bad reasons for what we believe on instinct; but metaphysics has changed in the meantime, and is now the finding of bad reasons for what we cannot possibly believe however hard we try. All I can say is that the disbelief in the reality of consciousness or personal identity has never prevented anyone from copyrighting his book in which that unreality is argued; and I very much doubt that any author of such a book has ever been completely indifferent as to the bank account into which its royalties were paid.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise of the Modern Self, 2005
Philosophers seek rational explanations for beliefs, yet often lack empirical proof, while people still act on these ideas despite their questionable foundations.
In simple terms: Ideas persist without proof.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions critically.
Themes
philosophy
belief
consciousness
identity
economics
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- Academic writing
- publishing
- personal identity debates
Key Concepts
Epistemology
skepticism
materialism
financial incentives
Questions to Reflect On
- How do financial motives influence philosophical claims?
- Can belief persist without evidence?
A Different Perspective
Lack of empirical evidence can undermine credibility.
