This open eye for possible alternatives which need to be scrutinized before we can determine which is the best grounded is profoundly disconcerting to all conservatives and to almost all revolutionaries. Morris Raphael Cohen alternativeconservativedetermine share on social
It has generally been assumed that of two opposing systems of philosophy, e.g., realism and idealism, one only can be true and one must be false; and so philosophers have been hopelessly divided on the question, which is the true one. Morris Raphael Cohen assumedividefalse share on social
It is not impossible to think that the minds of philosophers sometimes act like those of other mortals, and that, having once been determined by diverse circumstances to adopt certain views, they then look for and naturally find reasons to justify these views. Morris Raphael Cohen actadoptcircumstance share on social
Liberalism is an attitude rather than a set of dogmas - an attitude that insists upon questioning all plausible and self-evident propositions, seeking not to reject them but to find out what evidence there is to support them rather than their possible alternatives. Morris Raphael Cohen alternativeattitudedogma share on social
Conservatism clings to what has been established, fearing that, once we begin to question the beliefs that we have inherited, all the values of life will be destroyed. Morris Raphael Cohen beginbeliefcling Change image and share on social
A creative element is surely present in all great systems, and it does not seem possible that all sympathy or fundamental attitudes of will can be entirely eliminated from any human philosophy. Morris Raphael Cohen attitudecreativeelement Change image and share on social
Again, both literature and philosophy work by appealing to certain reigning idols. Morris Raphael Cohen appealidolliterature Change image and share on social
Liberalism regards life as an adventure in which we must take risks in new situation, in which there is no guarantee that the new will always be the good or the true, in which progress is a precarious achievement rather than inevitability. Morris Raphael Cohen achievementadventuregood share on social
The method of exposition which philosophers have adopted leads many to suppose that they are simply inquiries, that they have no interest in the conclusions at which they arrive, and that their primary concern is to follow their premises to their logical conclusions. Morris Raphael Cohen adoptarriveconcern share on social
Liberalism, on the other hand, regards life as an adventure in which we must take risks in new situations, in which there is no guarantee that the new will always be the good or the true, in which progress is a precarious achievement rather than inevitability. Morris Raphael Cohen achievementadventuregood share on social
