The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Galbraith suggests conservatives seek moral reasons for selfishness. He frames this as an ancient philosophical pursuit.
- In plain terms
- Conservatives try to find moral reasons to be selfish.
- What can you take from it?
- Selfishness often hides behind moral arguments.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is self-interest moral?
- How do we justify desire?
Another view
Not all self-interest is purely selfish.
More from John Kenneth Galbraith
The happiest time of anyone's life is just after the first divorce.
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Permalink to quote #79 The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking.
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