Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
VoltaireRead
The only way to comprehend what mathematicians mean by Infinity is to contemplate the extent of human stupidity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that understanding infinity requires recognizing the limitations of human understanding and intellect.
Voltaire's quote highlights the paradoxical relationship between the concept of infinity and the human experience of intelligence. It implies that contemplating infinity exposes the vastness of the unknown, which can be overwhelming when considering the often irrational and foolish behaviors of humanity. In essence, the quote points out that only by acknowledging our own shortcomings can we begin to grasp the deeper, more abstract concepts that defy human comprehension.
Themes
InfinityHuman StupidityUnderstandingPhilosophyComprehension
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture about the nature of mathematical concepts.
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