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About this quote

What does it mean?
Evolutionary doctrines made the future a final goal, justifying any present action for a utopia.
In plain terms
Utopian beliefs justify any bad action today for a perfect future.
What can you take from it?
Beware justifying present harm for a promised future ideal.

Where it applies

  • political campaigning
  • revolution
  • policy

Putting it to work

  • critique ends-justify-means
  • focus on present ethics

Questions to consider

  • Does the future justify present harm?

Another view

Some argue long-term goals are necessary for progress.

More from Albert Camus

  1. The divine availability of the condemned man before whom the prison doors open in a certain early dawn, that unbelievable disinterestedness with regard to ever…

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  2. The Empire supposes a negation and a certainty: the certainty of the infinite malleability of man and the negation of human nature.

    Permalink to quote #198
  3. The current motto for all of us can only be this: without giving up anything on the plane of justice, yield nothing on the plane of freedom.

    Permalink to quote #195

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