Quotes About Skepticism

you should not believe a thing only because you like to believe it.

he had arrived at the conclusion that political stability anywhere was an illusion that only a simpleton would believe in. That

The old stars-and-moons act was a good way to farm the unduly trusting. But the need to raise money in the first place seemed to call into question one's own ability to turn lead into gold. (Enoch in Boston, 1713)

Diax said something that is still very important to us, which is that you should not believe a thing only because you like to believe it. We call that 'Diax's Rake' and sometimes we repeat it to ourselves as a reminder not to let subjective emotions cloud our judgment.

No intelligent person in Blue believes that, of course.

in the informal atmosphere of the Physics Department, appointments were viewed with a certain Heisenbergian skepticism, as though being in the right place at the right time would involve breaking a natural law and was therefore impossible to begin with.

Basically, anyone who reads the National Enquirer or watches pro wrestling on TV is easy to convert.

Religion is not for simpletons.

When scientifically investigating the natural world, the only thing worse than a blind believer is a seeing denier.

When people believe a tale that conflicts with self-checkable evidence it tells me that people undervalue the role of evidence on formulating an internal belief system. Why this is so is not clear, but it enables many people to hold fast to ideas and notions based purely on supposition.

the only people who should have their head examined are those who never ask questions.

To learn that it's easier to be told by others what to think and believe than it is to think for yourself.

To be scientifically literate is to empower yourself to know when someone else is full of shit.

Science depends on organized skepticism, that is, on continual, methodical doubting. Few of us doubt our own conclusions, so science embraces its skeptical approach by rewarding those who doubt someone else's.

The cosmic perspective opens our minds to extraordinary ideas but does not leave them so open that our brain spill out, making us susceptible to believing anything we're told.

The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.

The cosmic perspective opens our minds to extraordinary ideas but does not leave them so open that our brains spill out, making us susceptible to believing anything we're told.

On the other hand, as every cop knows, lies are like cockroaches—if you see one, there are others.

Old guys have seen too much, and they trust no one.

every cop knows, lies are like cockroaches—if you see one, there are others.

I always thought that voluntary arms compliance inspections were sort of like a suspected murderer leading me on a guided tour of his house. No, Detective, there's nothing in that closet of any interest. Now, let me show you my patio.

Only cynicism redeems a wedding. It takes a lot of cynicism for a couple to reach silver wedding.

All these people want is a chance for the future, a chance they will follow with a strict consequentness [sic]. They will resent pity, they will be suspicious of oversolicitousness. They have seen man from his most evil side, who can blame them for being suspicious? They will resent having somebody plan every little detail for them. And in all fairness, who can blame them for that? Have they not lived in the land of the dead and so what can be so terrifying about the land of the living?

Creo que tenemos la peculiar idea de que nuestro gobierno es perfecto sin saber real y verdaderamente cómo funciona».72