Acquired taste Quote by Tony Judt
““Our disability is discursive: we simply do not know how to talk about these things any more. For the last thirty years, when asking ourselves whether we support a policy, a proposal or an initiative, we have restricted ourselves to issues of profit and loss - economic questions in the narrowest sense. But this is not an instinctive human condition: it is an acquired taste.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt, 1951
We have lost the language to discuss issues beyond economics, treating policy as purely profit‑driven, which limits moral imagination.
In simple terms: We only talk about profit, ignoring deeper values.
Key Takeaway
Expand discourse beyond economics.
Themes
politics
ethics
communication
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- environmental legislation
- social welfare debates
- corporate responsibility
Key Concepts
public sphere
moral imagination
policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we re‑introduce ethical language into policy?
- What values are missing from current debates?
A Different Perspective
Economic focus can overlook justice and human dignity.
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