The quote suggests that people with generous or expansive minds tend to view facts as unpleasant or even terrifying within the realm of intellectual pursuits. Facts, according to this perspective, are likened to brute beasts, implying they lack the grace and refinement often associated with higher thinking.
This statement by Thomas Hobbes delves into a deeper exploration of how we perceive knowledge and intellect. The notion that generous minds fear facts can be interpreted as an indication of their desire for broader philosophical or existential contemplation rather than mere factual data. Facts are seen here as restrictive, limiting the expansiveness of thought to concrete information instead of abstract ideas or ideals. Hobbes’s comparison of facts to brute beasts highlights a perceived crudeness and lack of elegance in how facts are often used within intellectual discourse. This suggests that those who aspire to more profound levels of understanding find themselves at odds with an overreliance on strict, unyielding data.
Thomas Hobbes was a prominent English philosopher who lived from 1588 to 1679. He is best known for his work "Leviathan," which presents a materialist view of human nature and society. His ideas influenced political philosophy, particularly concerning the social contract theory and the idea that a powerful sovereign should rule over individuals to maintain order. Hobbes’s perspective on facts reflects his broader views on human rationality and the limitations of empirical knowledge in achieving deeper understanding.
