There are uncertain truths - even true statements that we may take to be false - but there are no uncertain certainties. Since we can never know anything for sure, it is simply not worth searching for certainty; but it is well worth searching for truth; and we do this chiefly by searching for mistakes, so that we have to correct them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Certainty is unattainable, so we should focus on searching for truth by identifying and correcting mistakes instead.
- In plain terms
- We cannot know things for sure, so seek truth by finding and fixing errors rather than chasing certainty.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus on error correction to approach truth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you verify truth?
- Is certainty possible?
Another view
Some domains may allow for high confidence near-certainty.
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