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About this quote

What does it mean?
Inventing doubt is nearly as important as inventing fire.
In plain terms
Being able to doubt is a major human invention.
What can you take from it?
Value skepticism as a foundational human tool.

Where it applies

  • scientific method
  • decision making
  • learning

Putting it to work

  • question claims
  • test beliefs
  • avoid dogma

Questions to consider

  • What are you willing to doubt?
  • How has skepticism helped you?

Another view

This elevates doubt without addressing the need for constructive belief.

More from Thomas Henry Huxley

  1. God give me strength to face a fact though it slay me.

    Permalink to quote #65

  2. The primary purpose of a liberal education is to make one's mind a pleasant place in which to spend one's time.

    Permalink to quote #67

  3. 'The doctrine that all men are, in any sense, or have been at any time, free and equal, is an utterly baseless fiction.'

    Permalink to quote #64

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  3. 'Not far from the invention of fire... we must rank the invention of doubt.'

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