The quote “to measure truth and error by our capacity” suggests that as humans, we often judge the validity or accuracy of information based on our own personal understanding and abilities. In other words, if something is beyond our comprehension or challenges our current beliefs, we may tend to dismiss it as false or erroneous. Conversely, if something aligns with what we already know or believe, we are likely to accept it as true.
This tendency can be both beneficial and detrimental in different scenarios. On one hand, it allows us to make sense of the world around us using the knowledge and experiences we have accumulated over time. It helps us quickly process new information without having to re-evaluate everything from scratch each time.
However, this inclination can also limit our ability to learn new things and broaden our perspectives. If we only accept what fits within our existing framework of understanding while rejecting anything that doesn’t match up with it, then there’s a risk that we could miss out on important truths or insights.
In today’s world where information is abundant yet misinformation is rampant too—this human tendency becomes even more crucial to consider. With so much data at everyone’s disposal through the internet and social media platforms—it’s easy for people to cherry-pick facts that support their pre-existing views while ignoring those which challenge them—leading into echo chambers where only homogenous ideas are encouraged.
From a personal development perspective—this principle suggests an essential need for open-mindedness when learning new things about ourselves or others around us. It reminds us not always rely solely on past experiences but also welcome fresh perspectives—even when they seem uncomfortable initially—to foster growth and understanding beyond existing capacities.
Therefore, Montaigne’s idea encourages self-awareness about how personal biases might affect interpretation of truth—and emphasizes critical thinking in discerning fact from falsehood rather than simply accepting/rejecting ideas based on individual capacity alone.
