Certainty and Doubt Essay William Lyon Phelps and Bertrant Russel have conflicting views regarding the importance of certainty and doubt. Phelps position is that having certainty in oneself allows you to accomplish impossible tasks. While Russel believes it is healthy to have a certain amount of doubt in oneself and that people should not only believe in any one philosophy. Both Russel and Phelps make good points on the relationship between doubt and certainty but a combination of the two would
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Between Certainty & Doubt Phelps’ view that “certainty” enables one to “accomplish virtually anything” seems in conflict with Russell’s belief that opinions should be measured with “some sense of doubt”. Upon closer examination what is best when making life decisions is a matter of perspective. When weighing certainty versus doubt in the construct of important choices‚ it is irrefutable that they are different sides of the same coin; without one there cannot be the other. Absolute certainty comes
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Because doubt often takes over in our minds‚ therefore it can stop us from accomplishing tasks that we are certain we can do‚ since certainty comes through our minds and easily exits leaving us in doubt about what could have been. On the other hand‚ certainty gives confidence to people who become so overwhelmed with doubt. Certainty is what allows us to have more confidence to accomplish anything that other people may believe is the impossible. More than likely there have been many cases in history
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William Lyon Phelps stated an absolute certainty will make anything possible‚ but Bertrand Russell believed that our opinions should always have some sort of doubt. This conflict between optimism and doubt is most importantly meant to be kept balanced. This balance of doubt and optimism can be seen in the real world in many ways such as in sports or school. When Phelps said that we need to have an “absolute sense of certainty‚” he meant a setting your mind to it mentality. If you can imagine it
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September 12‚ 2013 Certainty & Doubt Behind every risk of decision made‚ or that will ever be made‚ lies certain varying degrees of certainty and doubt; the individual must decide based on the situation. However‚ in relation to both short term and long term activities‚ people should not act with a high degree of certainty‚ but rather act with a sensible‚ if not a considerable amount of doubt. In fact‚ the masses should act with a heavier amount of doubt‚ and a minuscule amount of certainty; either to save
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Lang Ms. Burke The argument between certainty and doubt is highly controversial. Despite the side that people have accustomed themselves to‚ there are still pros and cons to both. A person’s doubt can easily distract them from reaching their full potential‚ while it can also aide in making a more realistic and achievable decision because with doubt they are able to question their abilities and eliminate the options that aren’t as feasible. Whereas certainty can misguide someone into the delusion
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Certainty and doubt co-exist. The is no doubt without certainty (vice versa). The growth of the idea may be swayed by evidence (verbal‚ visible‚ or experience). Verbal evidence is not always credible and relies on the character of the person speaking; however‚ the speaker may conceal or twist the truth around to arrive at a logical point of view‚ therefore any person may believe the persons point. Lawyers‚ magicians‚ and politicians use pieces of the truth to direct certainty or doubt about their
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the concept that certainty can allow one to achieve all of one’s desires. But this present idea is utterly ambiguous. One cannot rely on certainty because nothing is truly certain. Everything that we hold to be true hasn’t been proven wrong‚ but who is to say that it couldn’t be true? There is no power that states if one is completely transfixed and convinced‚ they will be able to subdue all that believes otherwise. Doubt is‚ in many ways‚ an amenity; reality in which certainty‚ would be disregarded
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Relationship between Doubt and Certainty The 2012 Summer Olympics had a major impact on the world’s views on society when Oscar Pistorious‚ South Africa’s “The Blade Runner”‚ ran the 400 meter run with two carbon-fiber legs. At home Pistorious was always treated like a person without a handicap‚ but when becoming public to the world‚ most individuals weredubious of his ability to compete against non-handicapped runners. Being certain of himself‚ Pistorious never let the negativity bring him down
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Certainty and Doubt Argumentative Essay The concept of certainty and doubt has been explored by a multitude of individuals throughout the years. William Lyon Phelps‚ an American educator‚ journalist‚ and professor‚ believed that certainty is the key “to accomplish[ing] virtually anything.” On the opposite side of the continuum‚ Bertrand Russell‚ a British author‚ mathematician‚ and philosopher‚ believed that “we ought always to entertain our opinions…with doubt.” Both men are correct‚ but only partially
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