It may indeed prove to be far the most difficult and not the least important task for human reason rationally to comprehend its own limitations. It is essential for the growth of reason that as individuals we should bow to forces and obey principles which we cannot hope fully to understand, yet on which the advance and even the preservation of civilization depend.
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It is the worst of all superstitions to assume that the epistemological characteristics of one branch of knowledge must necessarily read more
It is the worst of all superstitions to assume that the epistemological characteristics of one branch of knowledge must necessarily be applicable to any other branch.
Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind. The difference lies not in the respective natures of read more
Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind. The difference lies not in the respective natures of savagery and civilization, but in their attendant circumstances, institutions, and so forth. The difference, therefore, does not operate in every sense, but it does in most of them. Even the most civilized peoples, in short, can be fired with passionate hatred for each other.
The psychologists and the metaphysicians wrangle endlessly over the nature of the thinking process in man, but no matter how read more
The psychologists and the metaphysicians wrangle endlessly over the nature of the thinking process in man, but no matter how violently they differ otherwise they all agree that it has little to do with logic and is not much conditioned by overt facts.
Animals can learn, but it is not by learning that they become dogs, cats, or horses. Only man has to read more
Animals can learn, but it is not by learning that they become dogs, cats, or horses. Only man has to learn to become what he is supposed to be.
What information consumes is rather obvious: It consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a read more
What information consumes is rather obvious: It consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.
The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.
The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.
The envious man thinks that if his neighbor breaks a leg, he will be able to walk better himself.
The envious man thinks that if his neighbor breaks a leg, he will be able to walk better himself.
There is nothing so awkward as courting a woman whilst she is making sausages.
There is nothing so awkward as courting a woman whilst she is making sausages.
...definitions are temporary verbalizations of concepts, and concepts- particularly difficult concepts- are usually revised repeatedly as our knowledge and understanding read more
...definitions are temporary verbalizations of concepts, and concepts- particularly difficult concepts- are usually revised repeatedly as our knowledge and understanding grows.
