We should never rush into folly just because other nations are practicing it.
Leon KassRead
As bad as it might be to destroy a creature made in God's image, it might be very much worse to be creating them after images of one's own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns against the consequences of creating life in our own flawed image rather than respecting the divine creation.
Leon Kass reflects on the moral implications of creation, suggesting that while it is wrong to destroy living beings seen as created in God's image, it may be even more troubling to create beings in our own imperfect likeness. This raises profound questions about the nature of creation, ethics, and the responsibilities of those who have the power to create.
Themes
CreationEthicsDivineResponsibilityImperfect
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on the ethics of genetic engineering, one might quote Kass to emphasize the importance of considering the nature of what is being created.
More from Leon Kass
All quotes βOne should proceed with caution. We may simply not be wise enough to do some of the kinds of engineering things that people are talking about doing.
Leon KassRead
There's an ancient tension between wanting to savor the world as it is and wanting to improve on the world as given.
Leon KassRead
It's a short step from the belief that every child should be wanted to the belief that a child exists to satisfy our wants.
Leon KassRead
Sexuality itself means mortality - equally for both man and woman.
Leon KassRead
Human life without death would be something other than human; consciousness of mortality gives rise to out deepest longings and greatest accomplishments.
Leon KassRead
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Whence comes this idea that if what we are doing is fun, it can't be God's will? The God who made giraffes, a baby's fingernails, a puppy's tail, a crooknecked squash, the bobwhite's call, and a young girl's giggle, has a sense of humor. Make no mistake about that.
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The virtues we acquire, which develop slowly within us, are the invisible links that bind each one of our existences to the others - existences which the spirit alone remembers, for Matter has no memory for spiritual things.
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In the light of eternity we shall see that what we desired would have been fatal to us, and that what we would have avoided was essential to our well-being.
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