"Only a humanity to whom death has become as indifferent as its members, that has itself died, can inflict it administratively on innumerable people"
- Theodor Adorno
About this Quote
Adorno's quote highlights the relationship between the lethargy towards death and the abuse of power. When a society ends up being numb to the finality of death, it enables those in power to cause it on numerous individuals with no regret. This speaks to the dangers of a culture that commemorates the glorification of violence or neglects the repercussions of actions that cause death. It is just when a society recognizes the worth of life and the enormity of death that it will work towards a world that safeguards human life and self-respect. Adorno's words act as a warning towards accepting a culture of indifference towards such an extensive and permanent consequence.