Philosophy Quote by August Neander
““There maybe in philosophy, just as well as in anything else, a bigotted attachment to certain doctrines and systems, which renders men intolerant and fond of persecution. It rarely, indeed, happens that Plato's wish of seeing philosophy united with sovereign power, can be realized. Plato would be right, if by his philosophy true wisdom is understood, which never can be learned in a school; but the philosophy of a school, united with sovereign power, would assuredly be a most fruitful source of oppression.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Philosophy and Power, 19th century
Dogmatic adherence to doctrines can breed intolerance and oppression, especially when linked to authority.
In simple terms: Rigid ideas cause persecution.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and avoid dogma.
Themes
philosophy
politics
dogmatism
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- political policy
- education reform
Key Concepts
authority
oppression
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What doctrines do you hold too tightly?
- How can philosophy stay independent of power?
A Different Perspective
Power can corrupt even well‑intentioned philosophies.
![“I never knew any man who had once tasted the sweetness of experimental knowledge, that ever afterward fasted after ye Vapour garlick and onions of phantasmatical seeming philosophy." [William Petty]” quote by Carl Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e5a/carl-zimmer-16331_knowledge_i-never-knew-any-man-who-had-once-tasted_1770.jpg)
