What a man believes upon grossly insufficient evidence is an index into his desires [and untested "vision" of the world]-- desires of which he himself is often unconscious. If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it.
If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way. - Bertrand Russell
Posted by delpesco at March 27, 2004 08:51 PM