Ability Quote by Allen W. Wood
“When people think that moral problems can be solved by some simple strategy of calculation, that sets them up for ghastly overreaching. They think they can turn everything into a "science" the way mechanics was turned into a science in the seventeeth century. They want to turn everything over to technocrats and social engineers. They become shortsighted or simplistic about their ends, and they disastrously overestimate their ability to acquire the information they need to make the needed calculations.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues, 2005
Moral problems cannot be reduced to simple calculations; overreliance on technical solutions leads to dangerous oversimplification.
In simple terms: Complex ethics need more than formulas.
Key Takeaway
Beware of over‑reliance on technocratic solutions.
Themes
ethics
technology
complexity
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- medical ethics
- environmental regulation
- AI governance
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
technocracy
information limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance technical expertise with moral judgment?
- What risks arise when we treat ethics as a science?
A Different Perspective
Technical models often miss human values and contextual nuance.
