Denis Diderot Quotes

The first step towards philosophy is incredulity.

Skepticism is the first step towards truth.

True science teaches, above all, to doubt

By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.

If you would be a real seeker after truth, you must at least once in your life doubt, as far as possible, all things.

The great benefit of philosophy, which is also its great weakness, is that all its steps are taken in the spirit of doubt.

In philosophy you're never 100% sure. You're always undermining what you think you know. That's always been my philosophy and my intellectual ethos.

The same principles which at first view lead to skepticism, pursued to a certain point, bring men back to common sense.

Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy.

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.

Science is what you know. Philosophy is what you don't know.

Constant and frequent questioning is the first key to wisdom … For through doubting we are led to inquire, and by inquiry we perceive the truth.

Doubt is the origin of wisdom.

A healthy skepticism, regularly exercised…

That's something I learned as a philosophy major: The philosophy ethos is, always question, never rest.

Skepticism is not a position; skepticism is an approach to claims, in the same way that science is not a subject but a method.

Belief in truth begins with doubting all that has hitherto been believed to be true.

Skepticism may undermine beliefs, but never belief.

In doubting we come to inquiry; by inquiry we perceive the truth.

Unless you have the courage to doubt you will never come to know the truth.

Doubt is often the beginning of wisdom.

At the very smallest wheel of our reasoning it is possible for a handful of questions to break the bank of our answers.

Not all questions are answered, but fortunately some answers are questioned.

I am aware that a philosopher's ideas are not subject to the judgment of ordinary persons, because it is his endeavour to seek the truth in all things, to the extent permitted to human reason by God.

I accept sceptics, you've got to have challenges.