Existentialism Quote by Robert R. Reilly
““The choice today is revolt. Igor Stravinsky wrote, “The old original sin was one of knowledge, the new original sin is one of non-acknowledgment.” It is the refusal to acknowledge anything outside the operation of the human will—most especially the good toward which the soul is ordered. The good is what must ultimately inform human justice. Therefore, moral relativism is inimical to justice, as it removes the epistemological ground for knowing the good. As Max Planck, the founder of quantum theory, wrote, “Everything that is relative presupposes the existence of something that is absolute, and is meaningful only when juxtaposed to something absolute.”4 What happens if the absolute is absent? If what is good is relative to something other than itself, then it is not the good but the expression of some other interest that only claims to be the good. Claims of “good” then become transparent masks for self-interest. This is the surest path back to barbarism and the brutal doctrine of “right is the rule of the stronger”. The regression is not accidental. Relativism inevitably concludes in nihilism, and the ultimate expression of nihilism is the supremacy of the will.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Moral Philosophy and Relativism, 2018
The author argues that moral relativism erodes a shared absolute good, leading to nihilism and the dominance of will over justice, urging a return to objective moral standards.
In simple terms: Relativism denies absolute good, causing moral chaos.
Key Takeaway
Seek objective moral foundations.
Themes
ethics
relativism
justice
philosophy
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- legal theory
- personal belief systems
Key Concepts
absolute good
nihilism
willpower
Questions to Reflect On
- Can societies find common good without absolutes?
- What role does empathy play in moral judgments?
A Different Perspective
Relativism can accommodate cultural diversity and prevent dogmatism.
