As human beings, our only sensible scale of values is one…
“As human beings, our only sensible scale of values is one based on lessening the agony of existence.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Advocates minimizing suffering as the primary moral metric for humanity
In simple terms: Reduce suffering to define values
Prioritize alleviating pain in ethical decisions
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- medical ethics
- charitable work
- personal conduct
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies objectively assess suffering?
- What alternatives exist to a suffering‑centered ethic?
Measuring suffering can be subjective and complex