Quote by Bertrand Russell, Unpopular Essa
The demand for certainty is one which is natural to man, but is nevertheless an intellectual vice. ... But so long as men are not trained to withhold judgment in the absence of evidence, they will be led astray by cocksure prophets, and it is likely that their leaders will be either ignorant fanatics or dishonest charlatans. To endure uncertainty is difficult, but so are most of the other virtues.
Summary
This quote suggests that while it is natural for humans to desire certainty, this desire can be a harmful intellectual quality. When individuals are unable to withhold judgment without evidence, they are susceptible to being misled by confident yet unreliable figures. The quote further implies that fostering the ability to tolerate uncertainty is challenging but necessary, as it promotes other virtues and guards against ignorance and dishonesty in leadership.
Topics
Facts
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