Quote by Emile Durkheim

A mind that questions everything, unless strong enough to bear the weight of its ignorance, risks questioning itself and being engulfed in doubt. If it cannot discover the claims to existence of the objects of its questioning -- and it would be miraculous if it so soon succeeded in solving so many mysteries -- it will deny them all reality, the mere formulation of the problem already implying an inclination to negative solutions. But in so doing it will become void of all positive content and, finding nothing which offers it resistance, will launch itself perforce into the emptiness of inner revere.

A mind that questions everything, unless strong enough to be

Summary

This quote suggests that a curious mind that constantly questions everything runs the risk of doubting itself and getting lost in uncertainty if it lacks the strength to accept its own limitations. If the mind is unable to find evidence or explanations for its inquiries, it may start to negate the existence of everything, leaning towards negative conclusions due to the mere act of raising questions. Consequently, the mind loses its positive outlook and begins to dwell in a state of emptiness and introspection, detached from the external world.

Topics

Doubt

By Emile Durkheim

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