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But my lord, when we addressed this issue a few years ago, didn't you argue the other side?" He said, "That's true, but when I get more evidence I sometimes change my mind. What do you do?
John Maynard Keynes
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and willing to change one's perspective based on new evidence.

In this quote, John Maynard Keynes reflects on the intellectual honesty required in discourse and decision-making. He acknowledges that his views have evolved as he has encountered new evidence, prompting a change in his stance on an issue. This illustrates the necessity of adaptability in thought and highlights the value of critical thinking, suggesting that one should not be rigidly attached to previous beliefs when presented with compelling new information.

Themes

Open-MindedEvidenceChangePerspectiveCritical Thinking

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a debate to emphasize the importance of adapting one's viewpoint based on new information.

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The book, as it stands, seems to me to be one of the most frightful muddles I have ever read, with scarcely a sound proposition in it beginning with page 45 [Hayek provided historical background up to page 45; after that came his theoretical model], and yet it remains a book of some interest, which is likely to leave its mark on the mind of the reader. It is an extraordinary example of how, starting with a mistake, a remorseless logician can end up in bedlam.
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