Political campaigns are designedly made into emotional orgies which endeavor to distract attention from the real issues involved, and they actually paralyze what slight powers of cerebration man can normally muster.
James Harvey RobinsonRead
We like to continue to believe what we have been accustomed to accept as true, and the resentment aroused when doubt is cast upon any of our assumptions leads us to seek every manner of excuse for clinging to them. The result is that most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We often prefer to hold onto our established beliefs, resisting doubt and reasoning to justify our views.
This quote emphasizes the human tendency to cling to long-held beliefs and values, even in the face of contradictory evidence. Robinson highlights that rather than seeking truth, people often engage in rationalization to reinforce their existing views, as questioning our assumptions can lead to discomfort and cognitive dissonance.
Themes
BeliefsReasoningCognitive DissonanceTruthAssumptions
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a philosophical discussion about the nature of belief and truth.
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