Appeal Quote by William Kingdon Clifford
“To consider only one other such witness: the followers of the Buddha have at least as much right to appeal to individual and social experience in support of the authority of the Eastern saviour.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ethics of Belief, William K. Clifford, 1877
Clifford argues that belief should be based on evidence, urging respect for personal and communal experience when evaluating spiritual authority.
In simple terms: Belief needs evidence; experience matters.
Key Takeaway
Seek evidence, honor experience.
Themes
evidence
belief
spirituality
authority
experience
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- academic discussion
- interfaith dialogue
- policy making
Key Concepts
epistemology
social epistemology
religious pluralism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance evidence with personal experience?
- When should communal experience guide belief?
A Different Perspective
Evidence alone may not resolve deep existential questions.
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