As so often happens in philosophy, clever people accept a false general principle on a priori grounds and then devote endless labour and ingenuity to explaining away plain facts which obviously conflict with it.
Interpretation
Clever individuals sometimes accept flawed theories and work tirelessly to justify them, despite contrary evidence.
C. D. Broad highlights a common issue in philosophical thinking, where intelligent individuals may latch onto certain flawed generalizations or principles without sufficient evidence and then go to great lengths to rationalize them. This behavior often leads to the dismissal of clear, observable facts that contradict their preconceived notions, showcasing a disconnect between theory and reality.
In practice
In a debate on the philosophy of science, this quote can emphasize the importance of grounding theories in observable facts.
The problem with people who are afraid of imagination, of fantasy, is that their world becomes so narrow that I don't see how they can imagine beyond what their senses can verify. We know from science that there are entire worlds that our senses can't verify.
God, how patient are Thy poor! These corporations and masters of manipulation in finance heaping up great fortunes by a system of legalized extortion, and then exacting from the contributors-to whom a little means so much-a double share to guard the treasure!
It's not the one thing nor the other that leads to madness, but the space in between.
There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge.
Sexual intercourse is kicking death in the ass while singing.
When a human being kills an animal for food, he is neglecting his own hunger for justice.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.