The terms good and bad indicate no positive quality in…
“The terms good and bad indicate no positive quality in things regarded in themselves, but are merely modes of thinking or notions, which we form from the comparison of things one with another. Thus one and the same thing can be at the same time good, bad, and indifferent. For instance, music is good for him that is melancholy, bad for him that mourns; for him that is deaf; it is neither good nor bad.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Judgments of good and bad are subjective labels based on comparisons, not intrinsic qualities of things.
In simple terms: Good and bad are relative, not absolute.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the relativity of value judgments.
Themes
philosophy
relativism
ethics
perception
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal taste
- art criticism
- ethical debates
- decision making
Key Concepts
subjectivity
comparative judgment
value theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you determine when a judgment should be absolute?
- Can some values be truly universal?
A Different Perspective
May overlook objective harms that require moral stance.