"It may be said that modern Europe with teachers who inform it that its realist instincts are beautiful, acts ill and honors what is ill"
- Julien Benda
About this Quote
This quote by Julien Benda speaks with the state of modern-day Europe, and how it is being taught to accept and honor what is wrong. Benda is suggesting that Europe is being taught to accept its "realist instincts," which are likely describing the idea of realism in politics, which is typically connected with the concept of "completions validate the methods." To put it simply, Europe is being taught to accept and honor unethical and dishonest behavior in the name of achieving a preferred outcome. Benda is recommending that this is incorrect, and that Europe must instead be taught to act in a moral and ethical manner. He is implying that modern-day Europe is being misinformed and misguided, and that it ought to instead be taught to act in such a way that is in line with its values and beliefs.
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