--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is amazing how many people think that…" description: "\"It is amazing how many people think that they can answer an argument by attributing bad motives to those who disagree with them. Using this kind of rea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/962/thomas-sowell-247_answers_it-is-amazing-how-many-people-think-that_2068462.jpg" --- # It is amazing how many people think that they can answer… ![“It is amazing how many people think that they can answer an argument by attributing bad motives to those who disagree with them. Using this kind of reasoning, you can believe or not believe anything about anything, without having to bother to deal with facts or logic.” quote by Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/962/thomas-sowell-247_answers_it-is-amazing-how-many-people-think-that_2068462.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/962/thomas-sowell-247_answers_it-is-amazing-how-many-people-think-that_2068462.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/962/thomas-sowell-247_answers_it-is-amazing-how-many-people-think-that_2068462.jpg) > “It is amazing how many people think that they can answer an argument by attributing bad motives to those who disagree with them. Using this kind of reasoning, you can believe or not believe anything about anything, without having to bother to deal with facts or logic.” [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attributing bad motives to opponents replaces logical debate with cynicism, allowing belief without evidence. **In simple terms:** Bad motives replace facts in arguments. Key Takeaway Seek evidence, avoid motive‑based attacks. Themes critical thinking logic debate morality Mood analytical skeptical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - politics - family discussions - academic forums - media consumption Key Concepts Cognitive bias argumentation theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify claims before judging motives? - What strategies improve factual discourse? A Different Perspective People may cling to motives for emotional comfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reasoning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasoning/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [All of the great leaders down through history have told us we become what we think about. In fact, they have been in complete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/all-of-the-great-leaders-down-through-history-have-told-us-we-become/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If one's cause is supported by sound reasoning, there is no point in using violence. 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