Quotes

The Collective Pursuit of Truth

Published on September 27th, 2009.

In fact, the idea that people with different views are opponents gets us off on the wrong foot.  It is better to see others, as far as possible, engaged in a collective search for the truth, with arguments being precise ways of spelling out reasons supporting a particular conclusion. Intolerant and dismissive responses fail to engage these arguments and therefore fail to conform to the most fundamental requirements of effective thinking. To respond to someone’s argument in a dismissive way has the effect, perhaps intended, of cutting off discussion. It is as if one said, “I refuse to think carefully about what you said. I will simply stick to my own beliefs about the topic.” This is inconsistent with the rigorous, careful, and open-minded examination of real issues, which is the essence of critical thinking.

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Richard Feldman, “Reasonable Religious Disagreements,” in Louise Antony ed., Philosophers Without Gods: Meditations on Atheism and the Secular Life (New York: Oxford University Press, 2007), 195.

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