Life Quote by Charles J. Chaput
![“This post-Christian confusion—MacIntyre calls it “emotivism”—now shapes American public life. In such an environment, the purpose of moral discourse, he writes, “[becomes] the attempt of one will to align the attitudes, feelings, preferences and choices of another with its own.” Other people…” quote by Charles J. Chaput](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fae/charles-j-chaput-16023_life_this-post-christian-confusion-macintyre_89097.jpg)
““This post-Christian confusion—MacIntyre calls it “emotivism”—now shapes American public life. In such an environment, the purpose of moral discourse, he writes, “[becomes] the attempt of one will to align the attitudes, feelings, preferences and choices of another with its own.” Other people become instruments to be dominated and used. They’re means to achieve our ends, not ends in themselves.6 As a result, most of our moral debates about public policy never get near the truth of an issue.””
About This Quote
Claims that a post‑Christian moral climate reduces ethical dialogue to willful imposition, turning people into means rather than ends, thus obscuring genuine truth.
In simple terms: Moral discourse as domination
Key Takeaway
Instrumentalizing others hinders truth
Themes
Morality
Power
Religion
Public policy
Truth
Mood
Concerned
Analytical
Type
Philosophical essay
Social commentary
When to use this quote
- Political ethics debates
- Policy formulation
- Religious influence studies
Key Concepts
Instrumentalism
Moral relativism
Practical Applications
- Encouraging authentic moral reasoning
- Critiquing power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does instrumentalizing others affect democratic deliberation?
- Can moral truth survive in a will‑driven culture?
