Character Quote by John Rawls
““Hume's skepticism in morals does not arise from his being struck by the diversity of the moral judgments of mankind. As I have indicated, he thinks that people more or less naturally agree in their moral judgments and count the same qualities of character as virtues and vices; it is rather the enthusiasms of religion and superstition that lead to differences, not to mention the corruptions of political power.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Political Liberalism, 1993
Moral disagreement stems more from religious fervor and political corruption than from natural moral consensus.
In simple terms: Religion and politics cause moral splits.
Key Takeaway
Seek common moral ground.
Themes
morality
religion
politics
agreement
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- public policy formation
- interfaith dialogue
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
moral psychology
social influence
ethical pluralism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do religion and power shape moral views?
- Can we find universal virtues?
A Different Perspective
May underplay genuine moral diversity.
