Avoidance Quote by William James
““Believe truth! Shun error!-these, we see, are two materially different laws; and by choosing between them we may end by coloring differently our whole intellectual life. We may regard the chase for truth as paramount, and the avoidance of error as secondary; or we may, on the other hand, treat the avoidance of error as more imperative, and let truth take its chance.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: The Will to Believe, 1902, William James
Choosing to prioritize truth or error avoidance shapes our intellectual habits; emphasizing truth fosters discovery, while focusing on avoiding error can limit innovation.
In simple terms: Prioritizing truth or error avoidance changes thinking.
Key Takeaway
Balance truth‑seeking with careful error checking.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
psychology
decision‑making
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- critical thinking
- personal belief formation
- educational curricula
- media literacy
Key Concepts
Truth pursuit
error avoidance
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Should truth or error avoidance guide your decisions?
- When is caution more valuable than discovery?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on error avoidance may stifle creativity.
