Such are the scientific justifications of the principle of coercion. They are not merely weak but absolutely invalid, yet they are so much needed by those who occupy privileged positions that they believe in them as blindly... And the unfortunate majority of men bound to toil is so dazzled by the pomp with which these 'scientific truths' are presented, that ...it accepts these scientific stupidities for holy truth, ...and it continues to submit to the present holders of power who are just as hard-hearted but rather more numerous than before.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Scientific excuses for coercion are weak and invalid, yet the privileged believe in them blindly while the masses accept them due to their impressive presentation.
- In plain terms
- Rulers use fake science to justify control, and people believe it because it sounds important.
- What can you take from it?
- Question authority when it uses complex jargon to justify oppression.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who benefits from this explanation?
- What evidence supports this claim?
Another view
Some scientific justifications may have valid elements even if misused by power.
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