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Yet the same gradual decay to which, after a certain age…

“Yet the same gradual decay to which, after a certain age, all the language of psychology seems liable, has been at work even here. If you call virtue an entity, you are indeed somewhat less strongly suspected of believing it to be a substance than if you called it a being; but you are by no means…” quote by John Stuart Mill
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““Yet the same gradual decay to which, after a certain age, all the language of psychology seems liable, has been at work even here. If you call virtue an entity, you are indeed somewhat less strongly suspected of believing it to be a substance than if you called it a being; but you are by no means free from the suspicion.””

John Stuart Mill

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage critiques treating virtue as a substance versus a being, noting lingering doubts about its nature.

In simple terms: Questioning how we view virtue as a thing or a quality.

Key Takeaway

Examine assumptions about moral concepts.

Themes

philosophy ethics language

Mood

analytical thought‑provoking

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • moral education
  • philosophical debate
  • critical thinking

Key Concepts

substance theory conceptual analysis skepticism

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you think virtue can be defined clearly?
  • How does language affect moral understanding?
A Different Perspective

The language may be dense for general audiences.

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