People who go around saying that it is wrong to fly and to…
“People who go around saying that it is wrong to fly and to eat meat are not so much making appeals to us from within our shared morality, but engaging in something more like "persuasive definition." They want us to look at the world and ourselves in a different way. Someday these prohibitions against flying and eating meat may be written into our moral psychology, but it will only be after there are viable, widely shared alternatives that are beginning to be widely adopted.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that moral objections to flying and meat eating function as persuasive redefinitions, and true moral change will follow when viable alternatives become common.
In simple terms: Moral arguments are persuasive definitions; change follows widespread alternatives.
Key Takeaway
Promote and adopt sustainable alternatives.
Themes
ethics
environment
behavior change
social influence
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- dietary choices
- travel planning
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
persuasive definition
moral psychology
norms
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives could shift public morality?
- How do definitions shape moral judgments?
A Different Perspective
If alternatives remain niche, moral pressure may backfire.