There are similarities between absolute power and absolute faith: a demand for absolute obedience, a readiness to attempt the impossible, a bias for simple solutions — to cut the knot rather than unravel it, the viewing of compromise as surrender. Both absolute power and absolute faith are instruments of dehumanization. Hence, absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power.
Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
The New York Times Magazine, “Thoughts of Eric Hoffer,” p. 24 (25 Apr. 1971)
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4 Comments To "Thought for today"
#1 Comment By Boulder Dude On Tue 7-Aug-07 9:48pm @ 9:48pm
Good thought, thank you.
#2 Comment By *** Dave On Tue 7-Aug-07 11:17pm @ 11:17pm
We aim to please.
#3 Comment By Paul Sunstone On Wed 8-Aug-07 7:02pm @ 7:02pm
I’ve never looked at it that way, but I think Hoffer is right.
Mostly what I’ve focused on is the ways in which absolute faith robs people of realism. Such as in denying the theory of evolution, or in promoting abstinence only sex education despite all the evidence showing how it fails.
#4 Comment By *** Dave On Wed 8-Aug-07 7:23pm @ 7:23pm
I think any “absolute” qualifies as being realism-robbing, as it implies a status far beyond anything that humans can achieve.