Famous Quotes & Sayings

Auguste Comte

Monotheism occupies so large a space in the view of modern minds, that it is scarcely possible to form a just estimate of the preceding phases of the theological philosophy.

Arthur Koestler

As modern physics started with the Newtonian revolution, so modern philosophy starts with what one might call the Cartesian Catastrophe. The catastrophe consisted in the splitting up of the world into the realms of matter and mind, and the identification of 'mind' with conscious thinking. The result of this identification was the shallow rationalism of l' esprit Cartesien, and an impoverishment of psychology which it took three centuries to remedy even in part.

Arthur Koestler

I profoundly admire Aldous Huxley, both for his philosophy and uncompromising sincerity. But I disagree with his advocacy of 'the chemical opening of doors into the Other World', and with his belief that drugs can procure 'what Catholic theologians call a gratuitous grace'. Chemically induced hallucinations, delusions and raptures may be frightening or wonderfully gratifying; in either case they are in the nature of confidence tricks played on one's own nervous system.

Denis Diderot

Passions destroy more prejudices than philosophy does.

Denis Diderot

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

Denis Diderot

What has not been examined impartially has not been well examined. Skepticism is therefore the first step towards truth.

Denis Diderot

Philosophy is as far separated from impiety as religion is from fanaticism.

Denis Diderot

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.

Dean Wareham

They didn't teach Nietzsche in the philosophy department at Harvard; philosophy there was strictly analytical stuff and the poetic ramblings of Nietzsche did not belong. And see - you are teaching it in a literature class - so they must have been right.

Dikembe Mutombo

I believe in the Democratic party, and their philosophy and what they stand for - for the poor people.

Elbert Hubbard

I have no perfect panacea for human ills. And even if I had I would not attempt to present a system of philosophy between the soup and fish.

Elbert Hubbard

Philosophy rests on a proposition that whatever is is right. Preaching begins by assuming that whatever is is wrong.

Eduardo Galeano

The Church says: the body is a sin. Science says: the body is a machine. Advertising says: The body is a business. The Body says: I am a fiesta.

Edward Abbey

In metaphysics, the notion that earth and all that's on it is a mental construct is the product of people who spend their lives inside rooms. It is an indoor philosophy.

Edward Abbey

Every man has two vocations: his own and philosophy.

Edward Abbey

Nothing could be more reckless than to base one's moral philosophy on the latest pronouncements of science.

Edward Abbey

Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, especially Zen, as we borrow from Christianity, science, American Indian traditions and world literature in general, including philosophy, and let the rest go hang? Borrow what we need but rely principally upon our own senses, common sense and daily living experience.

Edward Abbey

An economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human.

Edward Abbey

Under the desert sun, in the dogmatic clarity, the fables of theology and the myths of classical philosophy dissolve like mist. The air is clean, the rock cuts cruelly into flesh; shatter the rock and the odor of flint rises to your nostrils, bitter and sharp. Whirlwinds dance across the salt flats, a pillar of dust by day; the thornbush breaks into flame at night. What does it mean? It means nothing. It is as it is and has no need for meaning. The desert lies beneath and soars beyond any possible human qualification. Therefore, sublime.

Aristotle

For even they who compose treatises of medicine or natural philosophy in verse are denominated Poets: yet Homer and Empedocles have nothing in common except their metre; the former, therefore, justly merits the name of the Poet; while the other should rather be called a Physiologist than a Poet.

Aristotle

The life of theoretical philosophy is the best and happiest a man can lead. Few men are capable of it and then only intermittently. For the rest there is a second-best way of life, that of moral virtue and practical wisdom.

Aristotle

But also philosophy is not about perceptible substances they, you see, are prone to destruction.

Aristotle

I will not allow the Athenians to sin twice against philosophy,

Aristotle

Since the branch of philosophy on which we are at present engaged differs from the others in not being a subject of merely intellectual interest — I mean we are not concerned to know what goodness essentially is, but how we are to become good men, for this alone gives the study its practical value — we must apply our minds to the solution of the problems of conduct.

Aristotle

Philosophy can make people sick.

Aristotle

Philosophy begins with wonder.

Aristotle

Philosophy is the science which considers truth.

Aristotle

At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.

Ben Harper

If you don't like my fire, then don't come around. Cause I'm gonna burn one down.

Ben Harper

A candle throws its light into the darkness, in a nasty world so shines a good deed. Make sure the fortune that you seek is the fortune that you need.

Alexandre Dumas

Philosophy cannot be taught; it is the application of the sciences to truth.

Catherynne M. Valente

At the bottom of philosophy something very true and very desperate whispers: Everyone is hungry all the time. Everyone is starving. Everyone wants so much, much more than they can stomach, but the appetite doesn't converse much with the stomach. Everyone is hungry and not only for food - for comfort and love and excitement and the opposite of being alone. Almost everything awful anyone does is to get those things and keep them.

Samuel Butler

All philosophies, if you ride them home, are nonsense, but some are greater nonsense than others.