Belief Quote by Thomas Nagel
“What we take ourselves to be doing when we think about what is the case or how we should act is something that cannot be reconciled with a reductive naturalism, for reasons distinct from those that entail the irreducibility of consciousness. It is not merely the subjectivity of thought but its capacity to transcend subjectivity and to discover what is objectively the case that presents a problem…Thought and reasoning are correct or incorrect in virtue of something independent of the thinker's beliefs, and even independent of the community of thinkers to which he belongs. (p. 71)”
About This Quote
Source Book: Mind and Cosmos, Thomas Nagel, 2012
Human thought transcends mere subjectivity, seeking objective truth beyond personal or communal beliefs, challenging reductive naturalism.
In simple terms: Thought aims at objective truth beyond personal views.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of purely naturalistic explanations.
Themes
philosophy
consciousness
epistemology
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- ethical decision making
- scientific research
- personal introspection
- public policy
Key Concepts
reductive naturalism
objectivity
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- Can objective truth exist without a mind?
- How do we balance subjective experience with objective facts?
A Different Perspective
Reductive naturalism may still offer useful explanations in many contexts.
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