If one asks the whence derives the authority of fundamental ends, since they cannot be stated and justified merely by reason, one can only answer: they exist in a healthy society as powerful traditions, which act upon the conduct and aspirations and judgments of the individuals; they are there, that is, as something living, without its being necessary to find justification for their existence.

Summary

This quote suggests that the authority of fundamental ends cannot be solely justified through reason. Instead, it claims that these ends exist within a healthy society as powerful traditions. These traditions influence the thoughts, actions, and values of individuals without requiring explicit justifications. In other words, the quote emphasizes the significance of the existing norms and traditions in shaping a society's beliefs and guiding the behavior of its members.

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