...the reason lies in the lack of a reasonable religious teaching which, by explaining the meaning of life would supply a supreme law for the guidance of conduct, and would replace the more than dubious precepts of pseudo-religion and pseudo-science and the immoral conclusions deduced from them, commonly called 'civilization.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Tolstoy blames the lack of a clear moral framework for the confusion caused by false religions and science.
- In plain terms
- People follow bad rules because they lack a true guide for living.
- What can you take from it?
- Clear ethical teachings are needed to replace harmful cultural norms.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What guides your conduct?
- Are your beliefs based on truth or tradition?
Another view
It idealizes a single 'reasonable' teaching in a pluralistic world.
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