"It is a mania shared by philosophers of all ages to deny what exists and to explain what does not exist"

This quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau speaks to the propensity of philosophers throughout history to reject the reality of the world around them and to attempt to explain phenomena that can not be explained. This is a kind of escapism, as theorists try to understand the world by creating their own theories and explanations, instead of accepting the truth of the world as it is. This quote also speaks with the power of the human mind to develop its own reality, as theorists frequently attempt to describe the mysterious and deny the presence of the tangible. Ultimately, this quote serves as a reminder that while it is very important to believe critically and to question the world around us, it is also crucial to accept the truth of the world and to not get lost in our own theories and descriptions.