Able Quote by Martha C. Nussbaum
“Disgust relies on moral obtuseness. It is possible to view another human being as a slimy slug or a piece of revolting trash only if one has never made a serious good-faith attempt to see the world through that person’s eyes or to experience that person’s feelings. Disgust imputes to the other a subhuman nature. How, by contrast, do we ever become able to see one another as human? Only through the exercise of imagination.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Upheavals of Thought, Martha C. Nussbaum, 1990
Disgust dehumanizes others, arising from a failure to empathize and imagine their perspective.
In simple terms: Seeing others as less than human comes from lacking empathy.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate imagination to recognize others' humanity.
Themes
empathy
dehumanization
imagination
morality
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- diversity training
- mental health counseling
- community building
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
psychology
social cognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we practice true perspective‑taking?
- What barriers prevent us from empathizing?
A Different Perspective
Imagination alone may not overcome deep-seated prejudice.
