There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
...if you ask me whether or not I'm an atheist, I wouldn't even answer. I would first want an explanation of what it is that I'm supposed not to believe in, and I've never seen an explanation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Chomsky emphasizes the importance of understanding beliefs before categorizing oneself as a believer or non-believer.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky expresses a critical perspective on the concepts of belief and atheism. He suggests that before one can identify as an atheist, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what that means, indicating that the definition of belief and the object of disbelief should be thoroughly examined. Without a solid explanation of what one is expected to disbelieve, labeling oneself as an atheist is premature and lacks depth.
Themes
BeliefAtheismUnderstandingPhilosophySkepticism
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing the nature of belief systems, this quote could prompt deeper questions about atheism.
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There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
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