There is no method of reasoning more common, and yet none more blamable, then, in philosophical disputes, to endeavor the refutation of any hypothesis, by a pretence of its dangerous consequences of religion and morality. When any opinion leads to absurdities, it is certainly false; but it is not certain that an opinion is false, because it is of dangerous consequence. Such topics, therefore, ought entirely to be forborne; as serving nothing to the discovery of truth, but only to make the person of an antagonist odious.

An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding