In his commencement address at Kenyon College, the…
““In his commencement address at Kenyon College, the novelist and social critic David Foster Wallace eloquently said, “In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshiping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.”59””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human beings inevitably direct reverence toward something; the crucial decision lies in choosing the object of that reverence.
In simple terms: Everyone worships something
Key Takeaway
Choice of worship matters
Themes
philosophy
religion
existentialism
human nature
choice
Mood
thought‑provoking
serious
Type
quotational
reflective
When to use this quote
- graduation speeches
- ethical debates
- spiritual workshops
Key Concepts
belief
values
Practical Applications
- philosophical essays
- counseling
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to worship without a deity?
- Can one live ethically without any object of worship?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that atheism is a valid non‑worship stance, rejecting any deity or higher power.