Apathy Quote by Noam Chomsky
“In the moral calculus of currently prevailing state capitalism, profits and bonuses in the next quarter greatly outweigh concern for the welfare of one’s grandchildren, and since these are institutional maladies, they will not be easy to overcome. While much remains uncertain, we can assure ourselves, with fair confidence, that future generations will not forgive us our silence and apathy.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Contemporary Capitalism Critique, 2023
Short‑term profit motives dominate, endangering future generations and moral responsibility.
In simple terms: Profit outweighs care for grandchildren.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize long‑term welfare over immediate gains.
Themes
economics
ethics
intergenerational justice
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- government budgeting
- family financial planning
- activism
Key Concepts
capitalism
moral calculus
policy failure
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies could align profit with future welfare?
- How can individuals act responsibly within a profit‑driven system?
A Different Perspective
Economic pressures can outweigh ethical concerns.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
