Adequate Quote by Francis Schaeffer
“Technologically, modern man does everything he can do-he functions on this single boundary principle. Modern man, seeing himself as autonomous, with no personal-infinite God who has spoken, has no adequate universal to supply an adequate second boundary condition; and man being fallen is not only finite, but sinful. Thus man's pragmatically made choices have no reference point beyond human egotism. It is dog eat dog, man eat man, man eat nature.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The God Who Is There, 1978
Human autonomy lacks a transcendent reference, leading to selfish, destructive choices without higher moral grounding.
In simple terms: Without a higher guide, humanity acts selfishly.
Key Takeaway
Seek moral frameworks beyond ego.
Themes
ethics
human nature
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- policy making
- environmental decisions
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
existentialism
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What can provide a universal moral anchor?
- How can societies balance autonomy with responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on human reason may still produce harmful outcomes.
