Spiritual doctrines do not actually limit the mind as do materialistic denials. Even if I believe in immortality I need not think about it. But if I disbelieve in immortality I must not think about it. In the first case the road is open and I can go as far as I like; in the second the road is shut.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Chesterton argues that spiritual doctrines leave the mind open, while materialistic denials shut it, because disbelief in immortality forces one to avoid thinking about it.
- In plain terms
- Disbelief in life after death closes your mind.
- What can you take from it?
- Denial restricts thought more than belief does.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does disbelief force you to ignore certain topics?
- What keeps the mind truly open?
Another view
It assumes belief does not also create specific restrictions.
More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton
Materialists and madmen never have doubts.
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