When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also admit that some things are much more nearly certain than others. It is much more nearly certain that we are assembled here tonight than it is that this or that political party is in the right. Certainly there are degrees of certainty, and one should be very careful to emphasize that fact, because otherwise one is landed in an utter skepticism, and complete skepticism would, of course, be totally barren and completely useless.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- There are degrees of certainty; recognizing them prevents total skepticism, which is useless.
- In plain terms
- Noting varying certainty avoids falling into barren skepticism.
- What can you take from it?
- Distinguish between higher and lower certainty to stay productive.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can we balance healthy skepticism with practical certainty?
- What criteria define higher certainty?
Another view
Over‑emphasis on degrees can paralyze action.
More from Bertrand Russell
Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.
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