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My conscience is informed by reason. It's like Kant's categorical imperative: behave to others as you would wish they behaved to you.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of reason and the moral principle of treating others as one would like to be treated.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali reflects on the influence of reason in guiding her conscience, aligning it with Immanuel Kant's idea of the categorical imperative. This principle suggests that one should act according to maxims that can be universalized, advocating for mutual respect and empathy in human interactions. Hirsi Ali's statement encapsulates the essence of moral philosophy, urging individuals to consider their ethical responsibilities towards others.

Themes

ConscienceReasonMoralityKantCategorical Imperative

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about ethical behavior, one might quote this to emphasize rational decision-making.

More from Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Infuriatingly stupid analysts - especially people who called themselves Arabists, yet who seemed to know next to nothing about the reality of the Islamic world - wrote reams of commentary [after 9/11]. Their articles were all about Islam saving Aristotle and the zero, which medieval Muslim scholars had done more than eight hundred years ago; about Islam being a religion of peace and tolerance, not the slightest bit violent. These were fairy tales, nothing to do with the real world I knew.
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But without doubts, without a standpoint reached through questionings, human beings can't acquire knowledge.
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It's wrong to treat Muslims as if they will never find their John Stuart Mill. Christianity and Judaism show people can be very dogmatic and then open up.
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I assume the closest members of my family don't actually want to kill me, but the truth is that I have shamed and hurt them; they have to deal with the outrage that my public statements cause, and undoubtedly some members of my clan do want to kill me for that.
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It is easy to be disgruntled if you are denied rights and freedoms to which you feel entitled. But if you are not coherent, if you cannot put into words what it is that displeases you and why it is unfair and should change, then you are dismissed as an unreasonable whiner. You may be lectured about perseverance and patience, life as a test, the need to accept the higher wisdom of others.
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The concept of God in Jewish orthodoxy is one where you're having constant quarrels with God. Where I come from, in Islam, the only concept of God is you submit to Him and you obey His commands; no quarreling allowed.
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