To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of critical thinking over blind belief or doubt.
Jerry Pournelle's quote highlights that both extreme skepticism and unconditional belief are convenient but ultimately avoid the crucial process of reflection and critical analysis. It suggests that engaging thoughtfully with ideas and questioning them leads to deeper understanding and knowledge, rather than taking an unexamined stance on either side.
In practice
This quote could be used in a philosophy class to discuss the value of skepticism.
I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it. You may be ashamed of it later, but that's another story.
Peace is the only battle worth waging.
Humans treat animals as things that exist as means to human ends. That's morally wrong. Sexism promotes the idea that women are things that exist as means to the ends of men. That's morally wrong. We need to stop treating all persons - whether human or nonhuman - as things.
Poverty must be reduced not only for reasons of moral and justice, but also of security.
Race doesn't really exist for you because it has never been a barrier. Black folks don't have that choice.
Earth has one angel less and heaven one more, since yesterday.
There is one fairly good reason for fighting - and that is, if the other man starts it. You see, wars are a great wickedness, perhaps the greatest wickedness of a wicked species. They are so wicked that they must not be allowed. When you can be perfectly certain that the other man started them, then is the time when you might have a sort of duty to stop them.
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