Immoral: Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with…
“Immoral: Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes to be considered wrong, wicked, immoral. If mans notions of right and wrong have any other basis than this of expediency; if they originated, or could have originated, in any other way; if actions have in themselves a moral character apart from and nowise dependent on, their consequences-then all philosophy is a lie and reason a disorder of the mind.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral judgments are based on what works for most people, not on any deeper truth; if not, philosophy collapses.
In simple terms: Right and wrong are judged by usefulness, not intrinsic value.
Key Takeaway
Question usefulness over principle.
Themes
ethics
philosophy
pragmatism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- personal decisions
- public policy
- education
Key Concepts
consequentialism
relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it always right to follow the majority?
- Can short‑term benefits justify long‑term harm?
A Different Perspective
If consequences are harmful, the rule may still be called immoral.