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Character Quote by William James

“The subjectivist in morals, when his moral feelings are at war with the facts about him, is always free to seek harmony by toningdown the sensitiveness of the feelings.” quote by William James
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“The subjectivist in morals, when his moral feelings are at war with the facts about him, is always free to seek harmony by toningdown the sensitiveness of the feelings.”

William James

About This Quote

Source Book: The Will to Believe, 1896

When moral feelings clash with facts, one may reduce emotional intensity to achieve harmony, but this can compromise authenticity.

In simple terms: Tone down feelings to match facts.

Key Takeaway

Balance emotions with reality.

Themes

ethics psychology conflict harmony authenticity

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • decision making
  • ethical counseling
  • personal reflection
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

cognitive dissonance moral relativism self-regulation

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is it ethical to mute moral intuition?
  • What are the risks of prioritizing facts over feelings?
A Different Perspective

Suppressing feelings may lead to self-deception.

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