Character Quote by Philip K. Dick
““We do not have the ideal world, such as we would like, where morality is easy because cognition is easy. Where one can do right with no effort because he can detect the obvious.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Man in the High Castle” (or essay), 1962
Points out that moral choices are hard because our thinking is complex, not because morality is simple.
In simple terms: Morality isn’t easy.
Key Takeaway
Question easy assumptions.
Themes
ethics
cognition
complexity
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- political decision‑making
- personal dilemmas
- technological ethics
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
cognitive bias
effortful reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize moral complexity?
- What cognitive shortcuts hinder ethical decisions?
A Different Perspective
Moral clarity is rare; effort needed for right action.
![“[Mood allocates] investments of time, effort, resources, and risk taking to maximize Darwinian fitness in situations of varying propitiousness. High and low moods adjust cognition and behavior to cope with propitious and unpropitious situations.” quote by Randolph M. Nesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d0/randolph-m-nesse-24802_behavior_mood-allocates-investments-of-time-effor_87538.jpg)
