Absolutism Quote by Christopher Hitchens
““George Bush made a mistake when he referred to the Saddam Hussein regime as 'evil.' Every liberal and leftist knows how to titter at such black-and-white moral absolutism. What the president should have done, in the unlikely event that he wanted the support of America's peace-mongers, was to describe a confrontation with Saddam as the 'lesser evil.' This is a term the Left can appreciate. Indeed, 'lesser evil' is part of the essential tactical rhetoric of today's Left, and has been deployed to excuse or overlook the sins of liberal Democrats, from President Clinton's bombing of Sudan to Madeleine Albright's veto of an international rescue for Rwanda when she was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Among those longing for nuance, moral relativism—the willingness to use the term evil, when combined with a willingness to make accommodations with it—is the smart thing: so much more sophisticated than 'cowboy' language.””
About This Quote
The quote argues that labeling complex conflicts as purely “evil” is overly simplistic; using “lesser evil” provides moral nuance and strategic flexibility.
In simple terms: Avoid black‑and‑white moral labels; prefer nuanced terms.
Key Takeaway
Adopt nuanced language when discussing conflicts.
Themes
politics
ethics
communication
nuance
strategy
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
political
philosophical
commentary
When to use this quote
- foreign policy debates
- public speeches
- media analysis
- academic discussions
Key Concepts
moral relativism
political rhetoric
strategic framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling a conflict “lesser evil” affect public perception?
- When is moral nuance insufficient?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify moral judgments and enable justification of harmful actions.
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