Character Quote by Socrates
“A system of morality that is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception that has nothing sound in it and nothing true.”
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Plato's Republic, 380 BC
Moral systems based on fluctuating emotions lack objective truth and are merely deceptive constructs.
In simple terms: Emotion‑based morals are unreliable.
Key Takeaway
Seek objective, reasoned ethics.
Themes
ethics
philosophy
truth
illusion
objectivity
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- personal decision‑making
- educational curricula
- political policy
- media analysis
Key Concepts
moral relativism
subjectivity
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance reason and emotion in ethics?
- What standards define objective morality?
A Different Perspective
Emotions do influence moral judgments; ignoring them may oversimplify human experience.
