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About this quote

What does it mean?
A society indifferent to death has already lost its humanity and can impose death bureaucratically.
In plain terms
When a culture stops caring about death, it becomes inhumane and can kill by policy.
What can you take from it?
Indifference to mortality erodes moral responsibility.

Where it applies

  • policy critique
  • social commentary

Putting it to work

  • question bureaucratic decisions
  • protect vulnerable peoples

Questions to consider

  • How does societal indifference affect policy?
  • What safeguards prevent bureaucratic death?

Another view

Some may view the statement as hyperbolic.

More from Theodor Adorno

  1. 'Once the last trace of emotion has been eradicated, nothing remains of thought but absolute tautology.'

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  2. 'People at the top are closing ranks so tightly that all possibility of subjective deviation has gone, and difference can be sought only in the more distinguis…

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  3. 'Not only is the self entwined in society; it owes society its existence in the most literal sense.'

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