Attempting Quote by Michael Polanyi
“A free society is regarded as one that does not engage, on principle, in attempting to control what people find meaningful, and a totalitarian society is regarded as one that does, on principle, attempt such control.”
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Tacit Dimension” by Michael Polanyi, 1966
Free societies avoid imposing meaning, while totalitarian regimes try to control what people find meaningful.
In simple terms: Freedom respects personal meaning; control tries to dictate it.
Protect personal meaning.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education policy
- media regulation
- cultural discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits should a society place on meaning?
- How does control affect creativity?
Balancing societal cohesion with individual freedom is complex.