The real problems of our planet are not economic or technical, they are philosophical. The philosophy of unbridled materialism is being challenged by events.
E. F. SchumacherRead
Call a thing immoral or ugly, soul-destroying or a degradation to man, a peril to the peace of the world or to the well-being of future generations: as long as you have not shown it to be "uneconomic" you have not really questioned its right to exist, grow, and prosper.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote challenges us to consider the deeper impacts of our actions beyond economic value.
E. F. Schumacher's quote emphasizes that labeling something as immoral or detrimental is insufficient unless we critically examine its economic implications. It argues that the true measure of a thing's validity and potential for existence lies in a broader context that includes ethical considerations alongside economic ones, prompting a reflection on the values that drive society's priorities.
Themes
MoralityEconomicsExistenceImpactValues
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on ethics in business, this quote can underscore the importance of considering moral implications beyond profit.
More from E. F. Schumacher
All quotes →The substance of man cannot be measured by Gross National Product.
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The printing press is either the greatest blessing or the greatest curse of modern times, sometimes one forgets which it is.
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By means of trees, wildlife could be conserved, pollution decreased, and the beauty of our landscapes enhanced. This is the way, or at least one of the ways, to spiritual, moral, and cultural regeneration.
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We still have to learn how to live peacefully, not only with our fellow men but also with nature and, above all, with those Higher Powers which have made nature and have made us; for, assuredly, we have not come about by accident and certainly have not made ourselves
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The heart of the matter, as I see it, is the stark fact that world poverty is primarily a problem of two million villages, and thus a problem of two thousand million villagers.
E. F. SchumacherRead
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