Summary
This quote suggests that the fear of death has historically aided and enabled the rise of oppressive regimes. It implies that individuals' fear of their mortality makes them susceptible to manipulation and control by tyrants who promise security, often at the cost of personal freedoms. By exploiting this fear, tyrants can establish and maintain their power, since people are willing to surrender their liberties in exchange for a sense of protection against death. This quote highlights the significant influence of this fear in facilitating and perpetuating oppressive systems throughout history.
Topics
Death
By Sydney Hook