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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author holds a deep hope that humanity is capable of reasoning and acting rationally.
In plain terms
He believes people can use their minds to be reasonable and we hope this is true.
What can you take from it?
Optimism about human rationality is essential for progress.

Where it applies

  • philosophy
  • education
  • advocacy

Putting it to work

  • promote rational debate
  • support human rights
  • foster education

Questions to consider

  • Do you believe in human rationality?
  • What proves people can think reasonably?

Another view

Rationality often fails in the face of emotion or fear.

More from Norman Angell

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  3. The Great Illusion in its turn created certain illusions in those who read the book superficially (or who only heard about it). Because Norman Angell had prove…

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