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The great fault of all ethics hitherto has been that they…

“The great fault of all ethics hitherto has been that they believed themselves to have to deal only with the relations of man to man. In reality, however, the question is what is his attitude to the world and all life that comes within his reach.” quote by Albert Schweitzer
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“The great fault of all ethics hitherto has been that they believed themselves to have to deal only with the relations of man to man. In reality, however, the question is what is his attitude to the world and all life that comes within his reach.”

Albert Schweitzer

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ethics must expand beyond human interactions to include our relationship with all life and the world.

In simple terms: Ethics should consider all life, not just people.

Key Takeaway

Broaden moral perspective to include nature.

Themes

ethics environment holism

Mood

thoughtful concerned

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • environmental policy
  • personal lifestyle choices
  • education curricula
  • corporate responsibility
  • community activism

Key Concepts

anthropocentrism biocentrism interconnectedness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we integrate ecological concerns into daily decisions?
  • What responsibilities do we have toward non-human life?
A Different Perspective

Human-centered ethics ignore ecological impact.

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