Culture Quote by Martha Nussbaum
“On the whole, the accommodationist position has been dominant in U.S. law and public culture ─ ever since George Washington wrote a famous letter to the Quakers explaining that he would not require them to serve in the military because the 'conscientious scruples of all men' deserve the greatest 'delicacy and tenderness.'”
About This Quote
Source Article: “The Accommodationist Tradition in U.S. Law”, 2019
Historically, U.S. policy has often accommodated individual conscience, exemplified by Washington’s leniency toward Quakers, reflecting a broader cultural respect for personal moral boundaries.
In simple terms: U.S. law often respects personal conscience.
Key Takeaway
Champion conscientious rights.
Themes
law
ethics
historical precedent
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
scholarly
historical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- human rights advocacy
- education curricula
Key Concepts
conscientious objection
civil liberty
Questions to Reflect On
- How should modern societies negotiate conscience and duty?
- What limits, be placed on conscientious objections?
A Different Perspective
Balancing individual conscience with collective security remains contentious.
![“You can't really move forward until you look back. [From Remaking America panel discussion at George Washington University]” quote by Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/273/cornel-west-708_george-w_you-can-t-really-move-forward-until-you_37313.jpg)
