Believe Quote by William Kingdon Clifford
“The danger to society is not merely that it should believe wrong things, though that is great enough; but that it should become credulous, and lose the habit of testing things and inquiring into them; for then it must sink back into savagery.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ethics of Belief, 1877
Society must guard against uncritical acceptance of ideas, maintaining inquiry to avoid regression into barbarism.
In simple terms: Questioning prevents society from becoming gullible.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate critical thinking.
Themes
philosophy
science
society
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education
- media consumption
- policy making
Key Concepts
critical inquiry
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance healthy skepticism with openness?
- What practices foster disciplined inquiry?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on skepticism can stifle trust.
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