Quote by Alasdair Chalmers Macintyre
A striking feature of moral and political argument in the modern world is the extent to which it is innovators, radicals, and revolutionaries who revive old doctrines, while their conservative and reactionary opponents are the inventors of new ones.
Summary
This quote highlights a paradoxical phenomenon in moral and political discourse in the contemporary era. It suggests that individuals who advocate for change and transformation, often labeled as innovators, radicals, or revolutionaries, frequently resurrect or emphasize traditional ideas and principles in their arguments. Conversely, their conservative and reactionary adversaries, perceived as defenders of the status quo, tend to introduce fresh and novel concepts. This observation challenges the conventional assumption that progressives exclusively introduce new ideas, as it reveals the complex interplay between tradition and innovation within moral and political debates.
Topics
Principles
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