Quote by Bertrand Russell, On Being Moder

All movements go too far, and this is certainly true of the movement toward subjectivity, which began with Luther and Descartes as an assertion of the individual and has culminated by an inherent logic in his complete subjection. The subjectivity of truth is a hasty doctrine not validly deducible from the premises which have been thought to imply it; and the habits of centuries have made many things seem dependent upon the theological belief which in fact are not so. Men lived with one kind of illusion, and when they lost it they fell into another. But it is not by old error that new error can be combated. Detachment and objectivity, both in thought and in feeling, have been historically but not logically associated with certain traditional beliefs; to preserve them without these beliefs is both possible and important. A certain degree of isolation both in space and time is essential to generate the independence required for the most important work; there must be something which is felt to be of more importance than the admiration of the contemporary crowd. We are suffering not from the decay of theological beliefs but from the loss of solitude.

Summary

This quote suggests that the movement towards subjectivity, which started with Luther and Descartes and emphasized individualism, has taken things too far. It argues that the belief in subjective truth is not logically supported and has led to the complete subjection of the individual. The quote also asserts that certain traditional beliefs have historically been associated with detachment and objectivity, and that it is possible and necessary to maintain these qualities without relying on those specific beliefs. It further emphasizes the importance of solitude and independence in generating meaningful work, suggesting that the loss of these qualities is a greater problem than the decline of faith.