Quote by Carl Sagan

It seems to me what is called for is an exquisite balance between two conflicting needs: the most skeptical scrutiny of all hypotheses that are served up to us and at the same time a great openness to new ideas . . . If you are only skeptical, then no new ideas make it through to you . . . On the other hand, if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense in you, then you cannot distinguish the useful ideas from the worthless ones.

It seems to me what is called for is an exquisite balance be

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between skepticism and openness to new ideas. It suggests that being completely skeptical can hinder one's ability to accept and explore novel concepts, while being too gullible prevents the ability to discern valuable ideas. By combining a critical examination of hypotheses with a willingness to consider fresh perspectives, we can effectively differentiate between useful and worthless ideas. The quote advocates for the need to approach new concepts with both skepticism and an open mind to enrich our understanding and make informed judgments.

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