Free choice Quote by David Bentley Hart
““We trust, that is to say, that there is no substantial criterion by which to judge our choices that stands higher than the unquestioned good of free choice itself, and that therefore all judgment, divine no less than human, is in some sense an infringement upon our freedom. This is our primal ideology. In the most unadorned terms possible, the ethos of modernity is-to be perfectly precise-nihilism. This””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Primal Ideology of Modernity,” 2020
Freedom is presented as the ultimate value, making any judgment an intrusion on liberty, leading to a precise form of nihilism.
In simple terms: Freedom is valued above all, making judgment seem oppressive
Key Takeaway
Question the cost of absolute freedom
Themes
philosophy
freedom
nihilism
judgment
Mood
thoughtful
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- personal decision‑making
- academic debate
Key Concepts
ethical theory
modernity critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Is all judgment inherently oppressive?
- How does precision relate to nihilism?
A Different Perspective
Absolute freedom can ignore necessary constraints; judgment can be constructive
