a quote i came across

[jcsuperstar]

We are generally the better persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others.
- Blaise Pascal

i think this sums up the feeling behind many of the arguments on here...

[SeerObserver]

Interesting point. Do you think that a passage found somewhere on your own might change your mind or interpretation on a subject more than if someone you were disagreeing with were to have referred you to it?

[jcsuperstar]

depends on the person im disagreeing with

[Fede]

It doesn't matter if we find reasons for ourselves.... they are still, at some former point, put forward by others already.
So I think this comment is inaccurate.
Even if we come to a conclusion through our own cogitation, it is by investigating existing information.

[Cittasanto]

guess that is why there is an invitation from the Buddha to see for yourself.

[genkaku]

We are generally the better persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others.
- Blaise Pascal

i think this sums up the feeling behind many of the arguments on here...

I think the quote points to the fact that you don't have to be a Buddhist to exercise common sense:

"It is not what others do and do not do that is my concern. It is what I do and do not do -- that is my concern" -- attributed to Shakyamuni Buddha in The Dhammapada.

"There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves." -- American humorist Will Rogers

Etc.

[floating_abu]

We are generally the better persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others.
- Blaise Pascal

i think this sums up the feeling behind many of the arguments on here...

I read it as -- we can only learn when we learn ourselves.