Believe Quote by Bertrand Russell
“Protagoras did not know if the gods exist, but he held in any case they ought to be worshiped. Philosophy, according to him, had nothing edifying to teach, and for the survival of morals we must rely upon the thoughtlessness of the majority and their willingness to believe what they had been taught.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: Essays on Moral Philosophy, 1912
He argued that belief in gods is necessary for morality, and that majority conformity sustains ethical norms.
In simple terms: Worship and conformity support morals.
Key Takeaway
Accept social norms for moral stability.
Themes
morality
religion
conformity
philosophy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- religious practice
- legal systems
- education
- political discourse
Key Concepts
social contract
collective belief
Questions to Reflect On
- Is moral stability possible without shared belief?
- How does conformity affect personal ethics?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks individual critical thought and minority perspectives.
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