Capable Quote by Tzvetan Todorov
“For evil to take place, the acts of a few people are not sufficient; the great majority also has to remain indifferent. That is something of which we are all quite capable.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Ethics of Indifference", 1995
Indifference of the majority enables evil; collective moral responsibility is essential
In simple terms: People must act, not just avoid wrongdoing
Key Takeaway
Combat apathy, promote civic engagement
Themes
ethics
political philosophy
social responsibility
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- voting
- community service
- public protest
Key Concepts
moral agency
collective action
indifference
Questions to Reflect On
- What prevents people from intervening?
- How can societies foster active participation?
A Different Perspective
Changing hearts is harder than changing laws
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
