Be good Quote by John James Cowperthwaite
“I am afraid that I do not believe that any body of men can have enough knowledge of the past, the present and the future to establish "development priorities" - which presumably means procuring some developments as being good and prohibiting others as being bad.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Hong Kong Legislative Council, 1965
The quote warns that no group can fully know history, current events, and future outcomes to justly decide which developments are beneficial or harmful.
In simple terms: We cannot fully understand past, present, and future to set absolute development priorities.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and seek inclusive, adaptable planning.
Themes
knowledge limits
decision making
development
ethics
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
policy
critical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- technology investment
- environmental regulation
- social welfare programs
Key Concepts
epistemology
public policy
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we incorporate diverse viewpoints in setting priorities?
- What safeguards protect against unintended consequences?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on expert predictions can marginalize alternative perspectives.
