(This sect (the Encyclopaedists) propagate with much zeal…
““(This sect (the Encyclopaedists) propagate with much zeal the doctrine of materialism, which prevails among the great and the wits; we owe to it partly that kind of practical philosophy which, reducing Egotism to a system, looks upon society as a war of cunning; success the rule of right and wrong, honesty as an affair of taste or decency: and the world as the patrimony of clever scoundrels.))””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Materialism reduces morality to self‑interest, viewing society as a battlefield of cleverness and decency as a taste.
In simple terms: Materialism sees morality as personal taste and society as a cleverness war.
Key Takeaway
Question personal motives and societal values.
Themes
philosophy
materialism
ethics
societal critique
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- academic debate
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Moral relativism
social Darwinism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is morality purely subjective?
- Can society thrive without shared values?
A Different Perspective
It ignores altruism and collective responsibility.