Belief Quote by Allan Bloom
“Reason cannot establish values, and its belief that it can is the stupidest and most pernicious illusion.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Closing of the American Mind, Allan Bloom, 1987
Reason alone cannot determine values; believing it can is a dangerous illusion.
In simple terms: Reason can't set values; thinking it can is harmful.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about reason's role.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
epistemology
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- moral decision making
- political discourse
- education
- personal belief systems
Key Concepts
subjectivity
value theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we discern values without pure reason?
- What alternatives to reason can inform values?
A Different Perspective
Reason may still guide practical choices despite limits.
