Innocence Quote by Christine M. Korsgaard
““There is something splendid about innocence; but what is bad about it, in turn, is that it cannot protect itself very well and is easily seduced. Because of this, even wisdom - which otherwise consists more in conduct than in knowledge - still needs science, not in order to learn from it but in order to provide access and durability for its precepts.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: Moral Philosophy, 2015
Innocence is vulnerable and cannot defend itself; thus wisdom requires scientific support to protect and sustain moral principles.
In simple terms: Innocence needs help; science aids moral wisdom.
Key Takeaway
Use reason to protect the vulnerable.
Themes
ethics
vulnerability
science
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education
- policy making
- child welfare
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
protective mechanisms
Questions to Reflect On
- What role should science play in ethics?
- Can wisdom exist without protection?
A Different Perspective
Science cannot replace moral agency.
![“...under no circumstances would he [Humbert Humbert] have interfered with the innocence of a child, if there was the least risk of a row.” quote by Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f0/vladimir-nabokov-198_children_under-no-circumstances-would-he-humbert_16228.jpg)
