9 September 2007

Instinctive reasoning

I get a daily quote on my Google start page each morning. This one today by Bertrand Russell is profound:
If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.
Of course, underneath this quote (I get two a day) was a gem from Walt Disney:
I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I've ever known.

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