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Body Quote by Woody Allen

“In formulating any philosophy the first consideration must always be: What can we know? That is, what can we be sure we know, or sure that we know we knew it, if indeed it is at all knowable. Or have we simply forgotten it and are too embarrassed to say anything? Descartes hinted at the problem…” quote by Woody Allen
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“In formulating any philosophy the first consideration must always be: What can we know? That is, what can we be sure we know, or sure that we know we knew it, if indeed it is at all knowable. Or have we simply forgotten it and are too embarrassed to say anything? Descartes hinted at the problem when he wrote, 'My mind can never know my body, although it has become quite friendly with my legs.”

Woody Allen

About This Quote

Source Film: Annie Hall, 1977

Philosophical inquiry about the limits of knowledge and self‑awareness, questioning certainty and memory.

In simple terms: Question what we can truly know.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility about knowledge.

Themes

philosophy epistemology self‑knowledge uncertainty

Mood

thoughtful introspective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • personal reflection
  • teaching
  • writing

Key Concepts

skepticism metacognition memory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What can we truly know about ourselves?
  • How does uncertainty shape our decisions?
A Different Perspective

Absolute certainty is impossible; doubt is essential.

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