'Only a humanity to whom death has become as indifferent as its members, that has itself died, can inflict it administratively on innumerable people.'
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
Putting it to work
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
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