Able Quote by Richard Mitchell
“We should...be able to see that our interest would be best served not by asking the state to promulgate our values but by forbidding the state to promulgate any values at all. If the state can espouse some value that we love, it can, with equal justice, espouse others we do not love.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The State and Values” (1970) in *The Ethics of Freedom*
The state should not impose any values, allowing individuals to freely choose, because state‑endorsed values risk bias and oppression.
In simple terms: The state should stay neutral on values.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for a neutral, non‑value‑imposing government.
Themes
politics
philosophy
freedom
neutrality
state
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public policy
- education
- civil discourse
Key Concepts
libertarianism
value pluralism
government restraint
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a state be truly value‑neutral?
- What values should be protected even in a neutral framework?
A Different Perspective
Neutrality may be unrealistic; some values are essential for rights protection.
