One of the little-celebrated powers of Presidents (and other high government officials) is to listen to their critics with just enough sympathy to ensure their silence.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques modern conservatives for justifying self-interested actions under the guise of moral reasoning.
John Kenneth Galbraith suggests that modern conservatives are participating in a traditional philosophical endeavor: seeking a moral rationale that makes self-serving behavior appear morally acceptable. This reflects a broader critique of how individuals and ideologies often cloak selfish motives in ethical language, challenging the integrity of moral philosophy itself.
Themes
Moral PhilosophySelfishnessConservatismJustificationEthics
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about economic policies, one might use this quote to illustrate how ideological beliefs can mask self-interest.
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