'All morality has been modelled on immorality and to this day has reinstated it at every level. The slave morality is indeed bad: it is still the master morality.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Morality is built on immoral foundations and repeats the same patterns; slave morality remains harmful, yet it still mirrors master morality.
- In plain terms
- Our moral systems repeat old power dynamics.
- What can you take from it?
- Question the origins of your values.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What moral assumptions do you inherit?
- How can you break repeating patterns?
Another view
The claim may oversimplify complex moral developments.
More from Theodor Adorno
'Advice to intellectuals: let no-one represent you.'
Permalink to quote #8 'All satire is blind to the forces liberated by decay. Which is why total decay has absorbed the forces of satire.'
Permalink to quote #10 'A pencil and rubber are of more use to thought than a battalion of assistants. To happiness the same applies as to truth: one does not have it, but is in it.'
Permalink to quote #7
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