It is the sense of power attached to a sense of knowledge that makes men desirous of
believing, and afraid of doubting. This sense of power is the highest and best of pleasures when the belief on which it is founded is a true belief, and has been fairly earned by investigation.
Sense of power and knowledge makes men afraid of their beliefs
The highest pleasure is attached with true beliefs and earned with investigation
C- Men with sense of power and knowledge is the highest pleasure but is afraid of their beliefs.
What practical significance does Clifford’s thesis have?
It is important for everyone to question their beliefs and assumptions. The wisest people in society are those who question their own motivations and beliefs to get the sense of power and knowledge. They will continue to learn and question which makes humanity/society evolve.
Do you see any fallacies in Clifford’s reasoning?
Clifford claims that “What hurts society is not that it should lose its property, but that it should become a den of thieves; for then it must cease to be society” Clifford 6
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