Testimony Quote by Wm. Paul Young
““We routinely disqualify testimony that would plead for extenuation. That is, we are so persuaded of the rightness of our judgment as to invalidate evidence that does not confirm us in it. Nothing that deserves to be called truth could ever be arrived at by such means.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical essay, 2019
Rigid confidence in one’s judgments blocks the consideration of evidence that challenges those beliefs, preventing truth from emerging.
In simple terms: Closed minds reject contradictory evidence.
Key Takeaway
Stay open to evidence that opposes your views.
Themes
truth
bias
critical thinking
judgment
open‑mindedness
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research review
- legal testimony
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
epistemology
cognitive bias
philosophy of science
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test the validity of your own judgments?
- What mechanisms guard against bias?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can lead to false conclusions and missed opportunities.
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