The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.

The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.
What did Bertrand Russell mean by:

The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.

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This quote suggests that the popularity or widespread acceptance of an opinion does not validate its truth or sensibility. Essentially, it means that just because a lot of people believe in something, that doesn’t automatically make it correct or logical. This idea challenges the concept of ‘majority rules’ and encourages individuals to critically evaluate popular beliefs instead of blindly accepting them.

Applying this idea to today’s world, we see a lot of ‘groupthink’ or ‘herd mentality’ where people adopt the views and opinions of the majority, sometimes without questioning or understanding them. This is often seen in politics, social media trends, and even scientific theories. However, history has shown us that popular opinion can often be wrong. For example, there was a time when most people believed the Earth was flat, which is now known to be false.

In terms of personal development, this quote suggests the importance of critical thinking and independent judgement. It encourages us to question popular beliefs and form our own opinions based on evidence and logic, rather than simply conforming to what others think. This approach can lead to more informed decisions and a deeper understanding of the world.

Moreover, this quote can also serve as a reminder not to dismiss unconventional or minority views outright, as they could potentially hold merit. After all, many groundbreaking ideas and innovations were once considered absurd before they were proven to be true or effective.

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