Having come to a sound egoistic decision by the help of…
““Having come to a sound egoistic decision by the help of the unconscious, a man proceeds to invent, or adopt from others, a set of high-sounding phrases showing how he is pursuing the public good at immense personal sacrifice. Anybody who believes that these phrases give his real reasons must suppose him quite incapable of judging evidence, since the supposed public good is not going to result from his action. In this case a man appears less rational than he is; what is still more curious, the irrational part of him is conscious and the rational part unconscious. It is this trait in our characters that has made the English and Americans so successful.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often claim altruism while hiding personal motives, revealing a split between conscious rationality and unconscious irrationality that drives cultural success.
In simple terms: Altruism can mask self‑interest.
Key Takeaway
Examine true motives.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
self‑deception
consciousness
cultural evolution
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical essay
ethical discourse
When to use this quote
- academic discussion
- ethical analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
rationality
unconscious bias
ethical hypocrisy
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we truly act for the public good?
- How does unconscious bias shape decisions?
A Different Perspective
Assuming cultural superiority may overlook systemic flaws.