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[philosophybits]

There is no method of reasoning more common, and yet none more blameable, than, in philosophical disputes, to endeavour the refutation of any hypothesis, by a pretence of its dangerous consequences to 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.

David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

[philosophybits]

“Because he never raises his eyes to the great and the meaningful, the philistine has taken experience as his gospel. It has become for him a message about life’s commonness. But he has never grasped that there exists something other than experience, that there are values — inexperienceable — which we serve.”

— Walter Benjamin, “Experience”, Walter Benjamin: Selected Writings

[philosophybits]

“The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery, not over nature but of ourselves.”

— Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

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“When riches and virtue are placed together on the scales of the balance, the one always rises as the other falls.”

— Plato, Republic

[philosophybits]

It is the picture of life contrasted with the fact of life, the ideal contrasted with the real, which makes criticism possible. Where there is no criticism there is no progress, for the want of progress is not felt where such want is not made visible by criticism. It is by looking upon this picture and upon that which enables us to point out the defects of the one and the perfections of the other.

Frederick Douglass, "Pictures and Progress (1864-65)"

[philosophybits]

“Human society is seen to be splitting more and more into two hostile camps, and at the same time to be subdividing into thousands of small groups waging merciless war against each other.”

— Peter Kropotkin, The Spirit of Revolt

[philosophybits]

Speaking takes on a malevolent set of gestures that bode no good. It is sportified. Speakers seek to pile up points: there is no conversation that is not infiltrated like a poison by an opportunity to compete. The emotions, which in conversation worthy of human beings were engaged in the subject discussed, are now harnessed to an obstinate insistence on being right, regardless of the relevance of what is said.

Theodor W. Adorno, Minima Moralia, 90

[philosophybits]

“It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate only on what is most significant and important.”

— Søren Kierkegaard, Works of Love

[philosophybits]

The acuity of genius is the acute use of acuity.

Novalis, Miscellaneous Observations

[philosophybits]

“Human freedom is realized in the adoption of humanity as an end in itself, for the one thing that no-one can be compelled to do by another is to adopt a particular end.”

— Immanuel Kant, The Metaphysics of Morals

[philosophybits]

A political party busily seeking, or maintaining itself in power can discern nothing in these cries [against evil] except a noise. [...] So when freedom of expression means in fact no more than freedom of propaganda for organizations of this kind, there is in fact no free expression for the only parts of the human soul that deserve it.

Simone Weil, "Human Personality"

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“To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.”

— Confucius, Analects

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“The late-modern achievement-subject does not pursue works of duty. Its maxims are not obedience, law, and the fulfillment of obligation, but rather freedom, pleasure, and inclination. Above all, it expects the profits of enjoyment from work. It works for pleasure and does not act at the behest of the Other. Instead, it hearkens mainly to itself.”

— Byung-chul Han, The Burnout Society

[philosophybits]

“The being who patiently endures injustice, and silently bears insults, will soon become unjust, or unable to discern right from wrong.”

— Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

[philosophybits]

When I wrote ‘Logik’ I didn’t consult the Regulations, and therefore I think it would only be fair if you gave me my degree without consulting them so much either! ... If I am not worth your making an exception for me even in some STUPID details then I may as well go to HELL directly; and if I am worth it and you don’t do it then – by God – you might go there.

Ludwig Wittgenstein, "Letter to G. E. Moore (7 May 1914)"

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“Real wealth consists in things of utility and beauty, in things that help to create strong, beautiful bodies and surroundings inspiring to live in.”

— Emma Goldman, “Anarchism, What it Really Stands For”, Anarchism and Other Essays

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I am but too conscious of the fact that we are born in an age when only the dull are treated seriously, and I live in terror of not being misunderstood.

Oscar Wilde, The Critic as Artist