Single Idea 22642

[catalogued under 2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 3. Non-Contradiction]

Full Idea

After man's interest in breathing freely, the greatest of all his interests (because it never fluctuates or remits….) is his interest in consistency, in feeling that what he now thinks goes with what he thinks on other occasions.

Gist of Idea

Man has an intense natural interest in the consistency of his own thinking

Source

William James (The Pragmatist Account of Truth [1908], 'Seventh')

Book Reference

James,William: 'Selected Writings of William James', ed/tr. Bird,Graham [Everyman 1995], p.89


A Reaction

People notoriously contradict themselves all the time, but I suspect that it is when they get out of their depth in complexities such as politics. They probably achieve great consistency within their own expertise, and in common knowledge.