Abraham Quote by Christopher Hitchens
“I apply the Abraham Lincoln test for moral casuistry: 'If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.' Well, then, if waterboarding does not constitute torture, then there is no such thing as torture.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Moral Absolutism, Christopher Hitchens, 2005
If a baseline moral is wrong, then all derived morals are invalid, exposing logical flaws.
In simple terms: If slavery isn’t wrong, nothing is wrong.
Key Takeaway
Question foundational moral premises.
Themes
ethics
logic
human rights
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- debate
- education
- policy
- personal belief
Key Concepts
philosophy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What core values define your moral judgments?
- How do you evaluate moral arguments?
A Different Perspective
Complex issues may not reduce to simple binaries.
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