Quote by Lisa Alther

I happen to feel that the degree of a person's intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting attitudes she can bring to bear on the same topic.

I happen to feel that the degree of a person's intelligence

Summary

This quote suggests that a person's intelligence can be measured by their ability to consider and hold conflicting attitudes towards a particular topic. It implies that a truly intelligent individual is capable of exploring diverse perspectives and analyzing different angles of an argument, without being limited by single-mindedness or rigid beliefs. The quote highlights the value of intellectual flexibility and open-mindedness in assessing complex issues, emphasizing the notion that intelligence is not solely dependent on possessing a singular viewpoint, but rather, the capacity to hold and critically engage with multiple conflicting ideas.

Topics

Contradiction

By Lisa Alther

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