Arms Quote by Noam Chomsky
“Why does everyone take for granted that we don't learn to grow arms, but rather, are designed to grow arms? Similarly, we should conclude that in the case of the development of moral systems; there's a biological endowment which in effect requires us to develop a system of moral judgment and a theory of justice, if you like, that in fact has detailed applicability over an enormous range.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Moral Philosophy, 2015
Human biology predisposes us to develop moral judgment and justice concepts, similar to how our bodies grow arms.
In simple terms: Our bodies grow arms; our minds develop morals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize innate moral capacities.
Themes
biology
ethics
moral development
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education reform
- legal systems
- community building
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
evolutionary psychology
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural differences shape moral judgments?
- Can biology fully explain justice?
A Different Perspective
Biology alone cannot dictate complex cultural norms.
![“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)
