Block Quote by Eric Voegelin
“The constancies and equivalences adumbrated work havoc with such settled topical blocks as myth and philosophy, natural reason and revelation, philosophy and religion, or the Orient with its cyclical time and Christianity with its linear history. And what is modem about the modem mind, one may ask, if Hegel, Comte, or Marx, in order to create an image of history that will support their ideological imperialism, still use the same techniques for distorting the reality of history as their Sumerian predecessors?”
About This Quote
Source Book: Order of History, Eric Voegelin, 1960
Modern thought repeats old ideological distortions, using history to justify power.
In simple terms: History is misused for power.
Key Takeaway
Question dominant narratives.
Themes
history
ideology
power
philosophy
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- political analysis
- public discourse
- education
Key Concepts
critical theory
historical revisionism
cultural relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize ideological bias?
- What alternative histories can you explore?
A Different Perspective
Complex ideas may be inaccessible to general audiences.
![“Naturally, since [the Sumerians] didn't know what caused the flood anymore than we do, they blamed the gods. (That's the advantage of religion. You're never short an explanation for anything.)” quote by Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/582/isaac-asimov-309_advantage_naturally-since-the-sumerians-didn-t-kno_1627915.jpg)
