Character Quote by Socrates
“A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.”
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Plato's Gorgias, 380 BC
Moral systems based solely on fluctuating emotions lack objective truth and are therefore illusory.
In simple terms: Emotion‑based morality is unreliable.
Key Takeaway
Seek principles grounded in reason.
Themes
ethics
relativism
truth
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
skeptical
When to use this quote
- ethical debates
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy
moral theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Can morality exist without emotional consideration?
- How do we balance reason and feeling in ethics?
A Different Perspective
Human emotions are integral to moral judgments and cannot be ignored.
