---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In modern European thought a tragedy is…"
description: "\"In modern European thought a tragedy is occurring in that the original bonds uniting the affirmative attitude towards the world with ethics are, by a s..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/albert-schweitzer-701_affirmative_in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is_1194779.jpg"
---

#  In modern European thought a tragedy is occurring in that…

![“In modern European thought a tragedy is occurring in that the original bonds uniting the affirmative attitude towards the world with ethics are, by a slow but irresistible process, loosening and finally parting. Out of my life and Thought.” quote by Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/albert-schweitzer-701_affirmative_in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is_1194779.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/albert-schweitzer-701_affirmative_in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is_1194779.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/albert-schweitzer-701_affirmative_in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is_1194779.jpg)

> “In modern European thought a tragedy is occurring in that the original bonds uniting the affirmative attitude towards the world with ethics are, by a slow but irresistible process, loosening and finally parting. Out of my life and Thought.”

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

## About This Quote

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

Modern European thought erodes the ethical bond between optimism and morality, leading to a tragic separation.

**In simple terms:** European thought weakens the link between optimism and ethics, causing tragedy.

Key Takeaway

Preserve ethical foundations amid changing philosophies.

Themes

philosophy ethics modernity

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

- education
- public discourse
- policy making

Key Concepts

optimism ethical bonds cultural shift tragedy

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we rebuild ethical bonds?
- Is optimism still valuable without ethics?

A Different Perspective

Some argue optimism can exist without strong ethical ties.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Affirmative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmative/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [European Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/european-thought-1333849/) [Irresistible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irresistible/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Parting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parting/) [Parting Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parting-life-3560179/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Thought Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-tragedy-3560177/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) [Tragedy Occurring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy-occurring-3560178/) [Uniting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uniting/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [The Scientific Revolution, that remarkable transformation of European thought that occurred between approximately 1550 and 1700, brought with it an ascendancy of the experimental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/the-scientific-revolution-that-remarkable-transformation-of-european/)

[Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/)

> [As a European I always thought movie stars and Hollywood were amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuliana-rancic/as-a-european-i-always-thought-movie-stars-and-hollywood-were-amazing/)

[Giuliana Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuliana-rancic/)

> [In European thought in general, as contrasted with American, vigor, life and originality have a kind of easy, professional utterance. American -- on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stevens/in-european-thought-in-general-as-contrasted-with-american-vigor-life/)

[Wallace Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stevens/)

> [“entailing difficult technical philosophical terms are so different from those of European thought, that they can hardly ever be accurately translated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/surendranath-dasgupta/entailing-difficult-technical-philosophical-terms-are-so-different/)

[Surendranath Dasgupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/surendranath-dasgupta/)

> [Common European thought is the fruit of the immense toil of translators. Without translators, Europe would not exist; translators are more important than members…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/common-european-thought-is-the-fruit-of-the-immense-toil-of/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [ We are seeing Republicans uniting behind this \[presidential\] campaign \[2016\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-are-seeing-republicans-uniting-behind-this-presidential-campaign/)

[Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/)

> [Prayer is - a means of uniting us unto Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/prayer-is-a-means-of-uniting-us-unto-himself/)

[Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/)

> [There can be no black-white unity until there is first some black unity… We cannot think of uniting with others, until after we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/there-can-be-no-black-white-unity-until-there-is-first-some-black/)

[Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/)

> [Records were vitally important to the development of music and of all music cultures. With that being pushed by the wayside, I can't see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lydon/records-were-vitally-important-to-the-development-of-music-and-of-all/)

[John Lydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lydon/)

> [Such growth will move humans into ever-higher energy states, ultimately transforming our bodies into spiritual form and uniting this dimension of existence with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-redfield/such-growth-will-move-humans-into-ever-higher-energy-states/)

[James Redfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-redfield/)

> [Citizens across the United States are now uniting in a great cause to establish a Department of Peace, seeking nothing less than the transformation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-kucinich/citizens-across-the-united-states-are-now-uniting-in-a-great-cause-to/)

[Dennis Kucinich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-kucinich/)

> [Underachievers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose except your fright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/underachievers-of-the-world-unite-you-have-nothing-to-lose-except/)

[Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/)

> [Art is the uniting of the subjective with the objective, of nature with reason, of the unconscious with the conscious, and therefore art is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/art-is-the-uniting-of-the-subjective-with-the-objective-of-nature/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/the-problem-is-to-find-a-form-of-association-which-will-defend-and/)

[Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/)

> [Even the weak become strong when they are united.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-schiller/even-the-weak-become-strong-when-they-are-united/)

[Friedrich Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-schiller/)

## More by Albert Schweitzer

> [Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/every-patient-carries-her-or-his-own-doctor-inside/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Ethics is the activity of man directed to secure the inner perfection of his own personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/ethics-is-the-activity-of-man-directed-to-secure-the-inner-perfection/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Because I have confidence in the power of truth, and of the spirit, I have confidence in the future of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/because-i-have-confidence-in-the-power-of-truth-and-of-the-spirit-i/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Man's ethics must not end with man, but should extend to the universe. He must regain the consciousness of the great Chain of Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-s-ethics-must-not-end-with-man-but-should-extend-to-the-universe/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Sincerity is the foundation of the spiritual life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/sincerity-is-the-foundation-of-the-spiritual-life/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [I am life that wants to live, in the midst of life that wants to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/i-am-life-that-wants-to-live-in-the-midst-of-life-that-wants-to-live/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [“ Bauer 's 'Criticism of the Gospel History' is worth a good dozen Lives of Jesus, because his work, as we are only now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/bauer-s-criticism-of-the-gospel-history-is-worth-a-good-dozen-lives/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Ethics is in its unqualified form extended responsibility to everything that has life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/ethics-is-in-its-unqualified-form-extended-responsibility-to/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [The only way out of today's misery is for people to become worthy of each other's trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/the-only-way-out-of-today-s-misery-is-for-people-to-become-worthy-of/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [When we observe contemporary society one thing strikes us. We debate but make no progress. Why? Because as peoples we do not yet trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/when-we-observe-contemporary-society-one-thing-strikes-us-we-debate/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [For those who sincerely seek the truth should not fear the outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/for-those-who-sincerely-seek-the-truth-should-not-fear-the-outcome/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [The ethic of Reverence for Life is the ethic of Love widened into universality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/the-ethic-of-reverence-for-life-is-the-ethic-of-love-widened-into/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [I still remain convinced that truth, love, peaceableness, meekness, and kindness are the violence which can master all other violence. The world will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/i-still-remain-convinced-that-truth-love-peaceableness-meekness-and/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Whatever you have received more than others-in health, in talents, in ability, in success, in a pleasant childhood, in harmonious conditions of home life-all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/whatever-you-have-received-more-than-others-in-health-in-talents-in/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Every start on an untrodden path is a venture which only in unusual circumstances looks sensible and likely to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/every-start-on-an-untrodden-path-is-a-venture-which-only-in-unusual/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

[Explore all 400 Albert Schweitzer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

## More Affirmative quotes

> [The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-fact-is-that-in-too-many-parts-of-our-country-we-still-have/)

[John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/)

> [Without application of the mind; there is no drive for taking affirmative action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-mercado/without-application-of-the-mind-there-is-no-drive-for-taking/)

[Joseph Mercado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-mercado/)

> [Affirmative action was designed to recognize the uniquely difficult journey of African-Americans. This policy was justifiable and understandable, even to those who came from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-webb/affirmative-action-was-designed-to-recognize-the-uniquely-difficult/)

[Jim Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-webb/)

> [I read American sagas (of the west) and I do not see people who went in search of material things. I see people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/i-read-american-sagas-of-the-west-and-i-do-not-see-people-who-went-in/)

[Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/)

> [The need of black conservatives to gain the respect of their white peers deeply shapes certain elements of their conservatism. In this regard, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/the-need-of-black-conservatives-to-gain-the-respect-of-their-white/)

[Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/)

> [My decision was sparked by affirmative action. There was a point in my life when affirmative action would have meant something to me -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/my-decision-was-sparked-by-affirmative-action-there-was-a-point-in-my/)

[Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/)

> [Who knows what Yale thought it was getting when it hired Richard Rodriguez? The people who offered me the job thought there was nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/who-knows-what-yale-thought-it-was-getting-when-it-hired-richard/)

[Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/)

> [Donald Trump has done more for getting people to understand the importance of public policy that respond to public needs in an affirmative way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barney-frank/donald-trump-has-done-more-for-getting-people-to-understand-the/)

[Barney Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barney-frank/)

> [If Barack Obama believes there are no victims in U.S, then I assume he'll shut down all the civil rights offices throughout the federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/if-barack-obama-believes-there-are-no-victims-in-u-s-then-i-assume-he/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [It has been proven now scientifically that, an affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful than a negative thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/it-has-been-proven-now-scientifically-that-an-affirmative-thought-is/)

[Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/)

> [The purpose of affirmative action is to give our nation a way to finally address the systemic exclusion of individuals of talent on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/the-purpose-of-affirmative-action-is-to-give-our-nation-a-way-to/)

[William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/)

> [Affirmative action has a negative effect on our society when it means counting us like so many beans and dividing us into separate piles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/affirmative-action-has-a-negative-effect-on-our-society-when-it-means/)

[John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/)

> [I answer in the affirmative with an emphatic 'No.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/i-answer-in-the-affirmative-with-an-emphatic-no/)

[Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/)

> [Quality of life is the sum total of the fairness of our tax structure; the caliber of our homes; the cleanliness of our air…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-mccall/quality-of-life-is-the-sum-total-of-the-fairness-of-our-tax-structure/)

[Tom McCall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-mccall/)

> [I suppose I was dying again, so I asked the Lord of Permanent Affection for the strength to live the day. Clearly, the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/i-suppose-i-was-dying-again-so-i-asked-the-lord-of-permanent/)

[William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/)

[Browse all 216 Affirmative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmative/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In modern European thought a tragedy is occurring in that the original bonds uniting the affirmative attitude towards the world with ethics are, by a slow but irresistible process, loosening and finally parting. Out of my life and Thought.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Albert Schweitzer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is-occurring-in-that-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Affirmative"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is-occurring-in-that-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/albert-schweitzer-701_affirmative_in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is_1194779.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/albert-schweitzer-701_affirmative_in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is_1194779.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/albert-schweitzer-701_affirmative_in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is_1194779.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In modern European thought a tragedy is occurring in that the original bonds uniting the affirmative…” — Albert Schweitzer",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Albert Schweitzer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In modern European thought a tragedy...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is-occurring-in-that-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/in-modern-european-thought-a-tragedy-is-occurring-in-that-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
