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About this quote

What does it mean?
Intellectual maturity involves considering ideas without immediately agreeing to them.
In plain terms
A smart person can think about an idea without believing it.
What can you take from it?
Practice critical thinking before forming opinions.

Where it applies

  • academic debate
  • political discussion
  • personal reflection

Putting it to work

  • listen to opposing views
  • ask questions before judging
  • suspend immediate reaction

Questions to consider

  • When did you last doubt an idea you initially accepted?
  • How do you separate belief from understanding?

Another view

Some argue that constant skepticism can hinder decision-making.

More from Aristotle

  1. It is not once nor twice but times without number that the same ideas make their appearance in the world.

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  2. It is unbecoming for young men to utter maxims.

    Permalink to quote #114
  3. It is just that we should be grateful, not only to those with whose views we may agree, but also to those who have expressed more superficial views; for these …

    Permalink to quote #111

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