--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As one might expect in a society with…" description: "\"As one might expect in a society with mass communications and mass markets, the pseudo-ethic says that whatever is popular, is right. Where the traditi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/margaret-halsey-6554_communication_as-one-might-expect-in-a-society-with-ma_1670722.jpg" --- # As one might expect in a society with mass communications… ![“As one might expect in a society with mass communications and mass markets, the pseudo-ethic says that whatever is popular, is right. Where the traditional ethic derives its sanction from the superiority of a few, the pseudo-ethic derives its sanction from the inferiority of a great many. The…” quote by Margaret Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/margaret-halsey-6554_communication_as-one-might-expect-in-a-society-with-ma_1670722.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/margaret-halsey-6554_communication_as-one-might-expect-in-a-society-with-ma_1670722.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/margaret-halsey-6554_communication_as-one-might-expect-in-a-society-with-ma_1670722.jpg) > “As one might expect in a society with mass communications and mass markets, the pseudo-ethic says that whatever is popular, is right. Where the traditional ethic derives its sanction from the superiority of a few, the pseudo-ethic derives its sanction from the inferiority of a great many. The pseudo-ethic is keyed, not to the spiritually gifted, but to the spiritually ungifted.” [Margaret Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-halsey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Popularity is mistaken for moral right, replacing elite‑driven ethics with mass‑driven standards that may lack spiritual depth. **In simple terms:** Popular ≠ moral. Key Takeaway Question the moral basis of popular trends. Themes ethics populism spirituality Mood critical analytical Type philosophical social commentary When to use this quote - marketing campaigns - social media trends - public policy debates - educational curricula Key Concepts mass culture moral relativism Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate true virtue from trend? - When can popular opinion be ethically sound? A Different Perspective May overlook beneficial aspects of popular consensus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) [Great men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-men/) [Inferiority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inferiority/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Mass communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass-communication/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Popular culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popular-culture/) [Sanctions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanctions/) ## Related quotes > [Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/of-all-of-our-inventions-for-mass-communication-pictures-still-speak/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Instantaneous and mass communication is the mother of mass naivety. 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Identity is built.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-halsey/identity-is-not-found-the-way-pharaoh-s-daughter-found-moses-in-the/) [Margaret Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-halsey/) > [I am living with a rising generation which talks like people coming out of ether.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-halsey/i-am-living-with-a-rising-generation-which-talks-like-people-coming/) [Margaret Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-halsey/) > [children are an embarrassment to a business civilization. A business society needs children for the same reason that a nomadic or a pastoral society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-halsey/children-are-an-embarrassment-to-a-business-civilization-a-business/) [Margaret Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-halsey/) > [The only way not to worry about the race problem is to be doing something about it yourself. 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