--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If truth is contingent upon the society…" description: "\"“If truth is contingent upon the society in which we live...there is nothing intuitive or universally or absolutely true about freedom from torture or ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/stephen-mcandrew-44792_freedom_if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society_2976351.jpg" --- # If truth is contingent upon the society in which we… ![“If truth is contingent upon the society in which we live...there is nothing intuitive or universally or absolutely true about freedom from torture or freedom from slavery; our society just happens to have come up with these values over time.” quote by Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/stephen-mcandrew-44792_freedom_if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society_2976351.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/stephen-mcandrew-44792_freedom_if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society_2976351.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/stephen-mcandrew-44792_freedom_if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society_2976351.jpg) > ““If truth is contingent upon the society in which we live...there is nothing intuitive or universally or absolutely true about freedom from torture or freedom from slavery; our society just happens to have come up with these values over time.”” [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Freedom concepts are socially constructed, not universal absolutes, varying across cultures and time. **In simple terms:** Freedom values depend on society. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural context of rights. Themes ethics culture human rights Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - policy making - human rights advocacy - education - cross‑cultural dialogue Key Concepts relativism social constructionism Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance cultural relativism with universal human dignity? - What rights should be non‑negotiable? A Different Perspective May overlook universal moral principles that protect individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Relativism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relativism/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [What is the basic, the essential, the crucial principle that differentiates freedom from slavery? It is the principle of voluntary action versus physical coercion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/what-is-the-basic-the-essential-the-crucial-principle-that/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Freedom from slavery is achieved only when a person starts to feel and understand that he would prefer death to life as a slave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarnail-singh-bhindranwale/freedom-from-slavery-is-achieved-only-when-a-person-starts-to-feel/) Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale > [There is a high bar for something to be considered a human right. Loosely put, it must be among the things we as humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vint-cerf/there-is-a-high-bar-for-something-to-be-considered-a-human-right/) [Vint Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vint-cerf/) > [“It is a Bush administration official on the moment when torture breaks a victim: The job of the interrogator is to safely help the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/it-is-a-bush-administration-official-on-the-moment-when-torture/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [“Why Should I Do Freelancing? Guidelines for Beginners Why do we do freelancing? People are doing nothing in the urge of life. Some are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhairab-it-zone/why-should-i-do-freelancing-guidelines-for-beginners-why-do-we-do/) [Bhairab IT Zone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhairab-it-zone/) > [The purpose of Sabbath is not simply to rejuvenate yourself in order to do more production, nor is it the pursuit of pleasure. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-purpose-of-sabbath-is-not-simply-to-rejuvenate-yourself-in-order/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“How can you measure the value of the good news of Christ? It is spoken of in the Bible as light in the darkness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/how-can-you-measure-the-value-of-the-good-news-of-christ-it-is-spoken/) [William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/) > [War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/war-is-peace-freedom-is-slavery-ignorance-is-strength/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Freedom and slavery are mental states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/freedom-and-slavery-are-mental-states/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“How could you have a slogan like “freedom is slavery” when the concept of freedom has been abolished?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/how-could-you-have-a-slogan-like-freedom-is-slavery-when-the-concept/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [“WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/war-is-peace-freedom-is-slavery/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [The difference between freedom and slavery is one thin line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-difference-between-freedom-and-slavery-is-one-thin-line/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Freedom is slavery some poets tell us. Enslave yourself to the right leader's truth, Christ's or Karl Marx', and it will set you free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/freedom-is-slavery-some-poets-tell-us-enslave-yourself-to-the-right/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [The artist must elect to fight for Freedom or for Slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/the-artist-must-elect-to-fight-for-freedom-or-for-slavery/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [Slavery it is that makes slavery; freedom, freedom. The slavery of women happened when the men were slaves of kings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/slavery-it-is-that-makes-slavery-freedom-freedom-the-slavery-of-women/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Stephen McAndrew > [“If the freedom to do as we please is extended to everyone, we lose our freedom. Inevitably, our desire will clash with the desires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/if-the-freedom-to-do-as-we-please-is-extended-to-everyone-we-lose-our/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) > [“Each of us would like the ability to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, without incurring the moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/each-of-us-would-like-the-ability-to-do-what-we-want-to-do-when-we/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) > [“The reason many are loathe to acknowledge the possibility of absolute truth is not simply because they do not wish to accept the possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/the-reason-many-are-loathe-to-acknowledge-the-possibility-of-absolute/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) > [“In order to discover truth it is necessary to coldly dissect and examine all of our prejudices and inherent biases to ensure we receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/in-order-to-discover-truth-it-is-necessary-to-coldly-dissect-and/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) > [“Given our obsession with self, it is hardly surprising we think it is fine for us to live in a world with malleable moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/given-our-obsession-with-self-it-is-hardly-surprising-we-think-it-is/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) > [“Christianity tells us we have free will. God has provided man with a choice whether to believe in Him or not. If God's existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/christianity-tells-us-we-have-free-will-god-has-provided-man-with-a/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) > [“We are fed ideas in small sound bites that are really just the conclusions of particular beliefs. We do not examine what underpins these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/we-are-fed-ideas-in-small-sound-bites-that-are-really-just-the/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) > [“If truth and moral values are relative, one cannot claim that certain human rights are universally applicable to all cultures and all people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/if-truth-and-moral-values-are-relative-one-cannot-claim-that-certain/) [Stephen McAndrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) [Explore all 9 Stephen McAndrew quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If truth is contingent upon the society in which we live...there is nothing intuitive or universally or absolutely true about freedom from torture or freedom from slavery; our society just happens to have come up with these values over time.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen McAndrew" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society-in-which-we-live-there-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Freedom" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society-in-which-we-live-there-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/stephen-mcandrew-44792_freedom_if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society_2976351.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/stephen-mcandrew-44792_freedom_if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society_2976351.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ee/stephen-mcandrew-44792_freedom_if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society_2976351.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If truth is contingent upon the society in which we live...there is nothing intuitive or universally or…” — Stephen McAndrew", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen McAndrew", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mcandrew/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If truth is contingent upon the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society-in-which-we-live-there-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mcandrew/if-truth-is-contingent-upon-the-society-in-which-we-live-there-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```