Quote by Albert Schweitzer
The great fault of all ethics hitherto has been that they believed themselves to have to deal only with the relations of man to man. In reality, however, the question is what is his attitude to the world and all life that comes within his reach. A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, and that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help. Only the universal ethic of the feeling of responsibility in an ever-widening sphere for all that livesonly that ethic can be founded in thought. The ethic of Reverence for Life, therefore, comprehends within itself everything that can be described as love, devotion, and sympathy whether in suffering, joy, or effort.
Summary
This quote, by Albert Schweitzer, criticizes traditional ethics for focusing solely on human relations and disregarding the relationship between humans and the natural world. Schweitzer argues that true ethics requires recognizing the sanctity of all life, including plants and animals. A person can be considered ethical when they value and respect all forms of life, and actively support and care for those in need. Schweitzer proposes the concept of Reverence for Life as a universal ethic that encompasses love, devotion, and sympathy towards all living beings, acknowledging their suffering, joy, and struggles.
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