John Stuart Mill on Knowing Both Sides (Quote)

May 23, 2024 6:00 PM

"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion."
~ John Stuart Mill

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2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?

2 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Because back then they were paid by the word

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

John Stuart Mill, of his own free will
On half a pint of shandy was particularly ill

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Plato, they say, could stick it away
Half a crate of whiskey every day

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

John Stewart Mill, nil, nil; Stalin LESS than nothing

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

this is wrong and John Stuart Mill is dumb. here's an example: "I believe that 1+1 is 2." I really don't give a shit what the other side thinks about that fact. I am not going to spend even a nanosecond on "the other side." Case closed.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 4

JSM writes, "equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion." --- my response: facts are facts Bro. you are a moron. (how long has he been dead?) some facts are irrefutable. and it is ultra-stupid, totally wrong, and completely invalid to say "if you don't understsand the counter-argument then you cannot understand your own reasons": no, sorry, 1+1=2, case closed.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 4

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Great quote, but it's important to realize that not every issue has two sides worthy of equal consideration, but people are willing to dissemble endlessly, no matter how absurd, if it is in their self-interest

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

But if you don't know the arguments of the other side how can you determine if it is or is not worthy of consideration?

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

You do know their argument, it still gets stated, it just isn't worthy of consideration. That's why the dissembling

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

"Start arguments online and accuse anyone who disagrees with you of fascism, communism, naziism, or whatever feels right. Have fun with it. Be spontaneous. Say things like, 'I bet you're a pedophile too, that would be on-brand,' like scientologists do to anyone who opposes them. The important thing is to contribute to the toxic atmosphere of distrust that affects the entire media landscape."

--Walter Cronkite

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 2

it amused me to see this comment downvoted. I think it's going way over some people's heads.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Walter Cronkite NEVER said that ! ! !

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Are you being funny, or did you miss the point entirely?

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

depends, random internet stranger : ... how stupid do you think the other random internet stranger (me) is ? ? :P

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"America is all about speed. Hot, nasty speed."

--Eleanor Roosevelt

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

that.... that is not completely unlikely .... and for ALICE roosevelt, totally on-brand

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I’m a package delivery person and I listen to a ton of conservative talk radio for this reason (among others).

2 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

That's like trying to use chemotherapy to prevent cancer dude. It doesn't work like that and you are just drip feeding yourself poison.

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 6

Sometimes it's useful to know what was on the talking points memo that went out that day

2 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

I hear you, but I have also seen people fall into that abyss when peering in. Fred said it well, "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

Gotta take tolerance breaks

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

why? the other side will NEVER listen to you, LOL

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 6

Was that comment meant to be ironic?

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Was not aware I was asking them to

2 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

then, is there a point to learning today's list of their lies and bullshit? what is your goal? have you achieved your objective? what are you able to accomplish now that you know what is today's list of insane lies and misinformation propaganda?

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 4