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Full Idea
The quest for certainty is a quest for a peace which is assured, an object which is unqualified by risk and the shadow of fear which action costs.
Gist of Idea
The quest for certainty aims for peace, and avoidance of the stress of action
Source
John Dewey (The Later Works (17 vols, ed Boydston) [1930], 4:7), quoted by David Hildebrand - Dewey 2 'Intro'
Book Ref
Hildebrand,David: 'Dewey' [One World 2008], p.40
A Reaction
This is a characteristic pragmatist account. I think Dewey and Peirce offer us the correct attitude to certainty. It is just not available to us, and can only be a delusion. That doesn't mean we don't know anything, however!