Absolutes Quote by Simone de Beauvoir
“Oppression tries to defend itself by its utility. But we have seen that it is one of the lies of the serious mind to attempt to give the word "useful" an absolute meaning; nothing is useful if it is not useful to man; nothing is useful to man if the latter is not in a position to define his own ends and values, if he is not free.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir, 1949
Oppression claims usefulness, but true usefulness depends on human freedom and self‑determined values.
In simple terms: Oppression is only “useful” when people are free to set their own goals.
Key Takeaway
Freedom defines what is truly useful.
Themes
freedom
oppression
values
autonomy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- education reform
- personal empowerment
- social movements
Key Concepts
existentialism
critical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure that usefulness serves human freedom?
- What values should guide our definition of usefulness?
A Different Perspective
If people lack freedom, “useful” becomes a justification for control.
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