You can prove anything you want by coldly logical reason---if you pick the proper postulates.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that one can arrive at any conclusion through logical reasoning, provided the initial assumptions are carefully chosen.
Isaac Asimov's quote highlights the power and potential pitfalls of logical reasoning. It emphasizes that while logic is a strong tool for proving arguments, the conclusions drawn are significantly influenced by the foundational assumptions or postulates. This serves as a cautionary reminder that our beliefs and proofs can be shaped to suit particular narratives depending on the starting points we choose.
In practice
This quote can be used in a debate to highlight the importance of questioning assumptions underpinning an argument.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
The evidence for human-made climate change is overwhelming.
I really like science because it seems to be that place where you get the big picture, everything connects.
Most institutions demand unqualified faith; but the institution of science makes skepticism a virtue.
A lot of the time, when I find myself critiquing scientific accuracy in movies, I have to remind myself that it had to get close enough to getting it right to get things wrong.
I am disappointed because nobody is talking about food and agriculture. They're talking about the diets of children, but they're talking about Band-Aids. We're not seeing a vision.
Mystics exult in mystery and want it to stay mysterious. Scientists exult in mystery for a different reason: It gives them something to do.
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