Mathematical certainty led philosophers to suppose thought is superior to sense

Evidence

It was supposed, on the basis of mathematics, that thought is superior to sense, intuition to observation. If the world of sense does not fit mathematics, so much the worse for the world of sense. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 203

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 203
• XREF: connects to: Plato argues that real knowledge derives from concepts rather than sensory perception — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 674; Knowledge requires mental reflection on existence rather than passive sensory impressions — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 693; Plato erroneously assimilated all forms of knowledge into mathematics — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 718 (+11 more)

Broader Connections

• Demonstrative deductive mathematics originated with Pythagoras and mysticism #corroborates (0.55) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 177
• Euclidean axiomatic structure dominated Newton Principia and political doctrine #expands (0.50) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 208
• Parmenides invented metaphysics based on logic that influenced subsequent philosophy #corroborates (0.40) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 275