The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.
PhilosophySocietyCritical thinkingTruthAbsurdityOpinionMajority
Some widely held beliefs are well‑grounded and beneficial.
Children must be under authority, and are themselves aware that they must be, although they like to play a game of rebellion at times. The case of children is …
Nine-tenths of the appeal of pornography is due to the indecent feelings concerning sex which moralists inculcate in the young; the other tenth is physiologica…
Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in th…
What is morality in any given time or place? It is what the majority then and there happen to like, and immorality is what they dislike.
The minority is always in the right. The majority is always in the wrong.
It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the publick to be the most anxious for its welfare.