Accepted Quote by Walter Lippmann
“Since my moral system rests on my accepted version of the facts, he who denies my moral judgments or my version of the facts, is to me perverse, alien, dangerous. How shall I account for him? The opponent has always to be explained, and the last explanation that we ever look for is that he sees a different set of facts. Such an explanation we avoid, because it saps the very foundation of our own assurance that we have seen life steadily and seen it whole.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Public Opinion, 1922
Moral judgments are based on personal facts; when others hold different facts, they appear hostile, yet understanding their perspective is essential for dialogue.
In simple terms: Our morals depend on our facts; differing facts make others seem dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Seek to understand opposing facts before judging.
Themes
politics
philosophy
communication
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- debates
- media analysis
- cross‑cultural dialogue
- policy making
Key Concepts
epistemology
bias
conflict resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you verify the facts behind someone’s moral stance?
- What steps foster constructive dialogue with those holding different facts?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on facts can ignore moral nuance and empathy.
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
