Available Quote by Phillip E. Johnson
“If modernist naturalism were true, there would be no objective truth outside of science. In that case right and wrong would be a matter of cultural preference, or political power, and the power already available to modernists ideologies would be overwhelming.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Darwin on Trial, 1991
If modernist naturalism denies objective truth, morality becomes relative, risking domination by prevailing power structures.
In simple terms: Naturalism leads to moral relativism.
Key Takeaway
Critically examine foundations of truth and ethics.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
relativism
power
Mood
philosophical
critical
Type
ethical
intellectual
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- policy formation
- education curricula
- public discourse
Key Concepts
metaphysics
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What grounds moral judgments?
- How can societies maintain ethical consensus?
A Different Perspective
Relativism can erode shared standards needed for cooperation.
![“Modernist discourse [...] incorporates semantic devices - such as the labeling of theism as 'religion' and naturalism as 'science' - that work to prevent a dangerous debate over fundamental assumptions from breaking out in the open.” quote by Phillip E. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cf4/phillip-e-johnson-14758_assumption_modernist-discourse-incorporates-semanti_1772274.jpg)
