Alternatives Quote by Lewis Mumford
“The chief enemy of peace is the spirit of unreason itself: an inability to conceive alternatives, an unwillingness to reconsider old prejudices, to part with ideological obsessions, to entertain new ideas or to improve new plans.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The City in History by Lewis Mumford, 1961
Peace is threatened when people cling to rigid ideas and cannot imagine alternatives or revise old biases.
In simple terms: Unreasonable thinking blocks peace.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate openness to new ideas.
Themes
peace
reason
open‑mindedness
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political negotiation
- community building
- personal growth
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
ideology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you challenge your own assumptions?
- What steps help a group consider alternative viewpoints?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑seated beliefs is difficult and may meet resistance.
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