Joseph de Maistre Quotes

I preferred the weapons of dialectic to all the other teachings of philosophy, and armed with these, I chose the conflicts of disputation rather than the trophies of war.

Logic works, metaphysics contemplates.

I am bound to furnish my antagonists with arguments, but not with comprehension.

Though we cannot out-vote them we will out-argue them.

Philosophy may describe unreasoning, as it may describe force; it cannot hope to refute them.

Logic is the last scientific ingredient of Philosophy; its extraction leaves behind only a confusion of non-scientific, pseudo problems.

Philosophy is easier than politics.

Philosophy is a performance sport - you have to play it with somebody back and forth.

I love to argue. I've always loved to argue. And I love to point out the weaknesses of the opposing arguments. It may well be that I'm something of a shin kicker. It may well be that I'm something of a contrarian.

I enjoy a good reasoned argument. I love the power of logic.

The first thing you get from the humanities, when they're well taught, is critical thinking. Philosophy in particular can play that role, not just in universities but in schools as well.

What I always liked about Socrates was his insistence on questioning things for the sake of reaching some sort of clarity - even if it is only clarity about the gaps in our knowledge.

Many scientists think that philosophy has no place, so for me it's a sad time because the role of reflection, contemplation, meditation, self inquiry, insight, intuition, imagination, creativity, free will, is in a way not given any importance, which is the domain of philosophers.

Convincing yourself doesn't win an argument.

I enjoyed debate on the floor but it's not really debate in the same way.

You know, I've taught philosophy for years and one argues in the hypothetical all the time.

Defining the terms of the debate generally dictates who's gonna' win it.

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

I have never entered into any controversy in defense of my philosophical opinions; I leave them to take their chance in the world. If they are right, truth and experience will support them; if wrong, they ought to be refuted and rejected. Disputes are apt to sour one's temper and disturb one's quiet.

Logic is neither an art nor a science but a dodge.

Whoever does not philosophize for the sake of philosophy, but rather uses philosophy as a means, is a sophist.

Good argument is intended to persuade another.

The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it.

Rightly defined philosophy is simply the love of wisdom.

A philosopher once said, 'Half of good philosophy is good grammar.'