Conservative Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Affluent Society, 1958
He critiques modern conservatism as a quest for moral justification of selfishness, echoing ancient philosophical debates.
In simple terms: Conservatives seek moral cover for self‑interest.
Question underlying motives of political arguments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- public discourse
- academic critique
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives moral reasoning in politics?
- Can selfish motives be justified?
Not all conservatives act selfishly.