Single Idea 9283

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 7. Despair over Philosophy]

Full Idea

Teiresias: We have no use for theological subtleties./ The beliefs we have inherited, as old as time,/ Cannot be overthrown by any argument,/ Nor by the most inventive ingenuity.

Gist of Idea

Our ancient beliefs can never be overthrown by subtle arguments

Source

Euripides (The Bacchae [c.407 BCE], 201)


A Reaction

[trans. Philip Vellacott (Penguin)] Compare Idea 8243. While very conservative societies have amazing resilience in maintaining traditional beliefs, modern culture eats into them, not directly by argument, but by arguments at fifth remove.

Related Idea

Idea 8243 Atheism is the philosopher's serenity, and philosophy's achievement [Deleuze/Guattari]