And finally, there is another danger: the emergence of…
“And finally, there is another danger: the emergence of nonideological but very aggressive 'isms,' which are really quite new. Let me at least name them: We all care about human rights, but I am afraid of 'human rightism.' We all want to have a healthy environment, but I see the danger in environmentalism. To put it politically correctly, I admire the second gender, but I fear feminism. We all are enriched by other cultures, but not by multiculturalism. I am aware of the importance of voluntary associations, but I fear NGOism.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker warns that well‑intentioned movements can become rigid ideologies that threaten the very values they claim to protect.
In simple terms: Ideologies can become dogmatic and harmful.
Key Takeaway
Beware of turning good causes into rigid doctrines.
Themes
politics
ideology
human rights
environment
culture
NGOs
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- activism
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
dogmatism
identity politics
social movements
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we support causes without creating new dogmas?
- What safeguards prevent well‑meaning movements from becoming oppressive?
A Different Perspective
Such labels can oversimplify complex issues and stifle nuance.