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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims that our scientific and philosophical ideals serve unknown deities.
In plain terms
Our ideals are like altars to unknown gods.
What can you take from it?
Recognize that some foundations are based on unseen assumptions.

Where it applies

  • research
  • theoretical work

Putting it to work

  • question underlying assumptions
  • remain open to mystery

Questions to consider

  • What unknown forces shape our ideals?
  • Can we know them?

Another view

Equating ideals with deities may overstate the role of belief.

More from William James

  1. What interest, zest, or excitement can there be in achieving the right way, unless we are enabled to feel that the wrong way is also a possible and a natural w…

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  2. The most any one can do is to confess as candidly as he can the grounds for the faith that is in him, and leave his example to work on others as it may.

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  3. There is but one indefectibly certain truth, and that is the truth that pyrrhonistic scepticism itself leaves standing, - the truth that the present phenomenon…

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