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Century Quote by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

“Ideology - that is what gives evildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the neccessary steadfastness and determination... Thanks to ideology, the twentieth century was fated to experience evildoing on a scale calculated in the millions.” quote by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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“Ideology - that is what gives evildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the neccessary steadfastness and determination... Thanks to ideology, the twentieth century was fated to experience evildoing on a scale calculated in the millions.”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

About This Quote

Source Book: The Gulag Archipelago, 1973

It argues that ideology provides moral justification and resolve for mass atrocities, making large‑scale evil possible.

In simple terms: Ideology fuels large‑scale evil.

Key Takeaway

Beware of harmful ideologies.

Themes

ideology evil justification

Mood

critical somber

Type

philosophical historical

When to use this quote

  • political movements
  • educational programs

Key Concepts

moral psychology historical analysis

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does ideology shape moral choices?
  • Can societies detect dangerous ideologies early?
A Different Perspective

Not all ideologies are harmful; context matters.

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