It is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatsoever for supposing it is true. — Bertrand Russell

It is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatsoever for supposing it is true.

Author: Bertrand Russell

Insight: You probably wouldn't trust a doctor who prescribed medicine based on a hunch. Russell's point is that believing things without evidence isn't just intellectually sloppy—it's how we make bad decisions in real life. The hard part isn't accepting this; it's actually doing it when something feels true.

Source: Unpopular Essays, p. 35, 1950

/Quotes

It is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatsoever for supposing it is true.

Bertrand RussellUnpopular Essays, p. 35, 1950

Insight

You probably wouldn't trust a doctor who prescribed medicine based on a hunch. Russell's point is that believing things without evidence isn't just intellectually sloppy—it's how we make bad decisions in real life. The hard part isn't accepting this; it's actually doing it when something feels true.

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Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a British philosopher, mathematician, and prominent social critic. Known for his work in logic, philosophy of mathematics, and advocacy for peace and human rights, Russell was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 for his significant contributions to literature and for his fearless efforts to confront the pressing issues of his time.

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