Single Idea 23359

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / d. Cause of beliefs]

Full Idea

It is impossible to assent to an apparent falsehood, or to deny an apparent truth.

Gist of Idea

We can't believe apparent falsehoods, or deny apparent truths

Source

Epictetus (The Discourses [c.56], 3.07.15)

Book Reference

Epictetus: 'The Discourses, The Handbook, Fragments', ed/tr. Gill,C [Everyman 1995], p.165


A Reaction

The way some philosophers write you would think that most beliefs just result from private whims or social fashion. That happens, of course, but most beliefs result from direct contact with reality.