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Voltaire: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities
The Socratic Method ^ | Unknown | Unknown

Posted on 03/17/2024 11:35:29 AM PDT by Jacquerie

In this blog article, we will explore the profound quote by Voltaire, "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." At its core, this quote serves as a sober reminder of the power of manipulation and the dire consequences it can have on individuals and society as a whole. Voltaire's words encapsulate the notion that when people are persuaded to accept and adopt absurd beliefs or ideas, they become vulnerable to committing acts of great cruelty or injustice.

This statement holds immense importance in our modern world, where manipulation is rampant, giving rise to extremism and oppressive ideologies. When we dissect this quote, it is crucial to recognize the correlation between belief and action. People's actions are often driven by the convictions they hold, and if those convictions are based on absurdities, the consequences can be devastating. History has shown countless examples of individuals who, under the influence of manipulation and false ideologies, have perpetrated horrific acts against their fellow human beings. It is not the mind itself that should be blamed, but rather the twisted minds that manipulate and exploit it.

While the meaning and significance of Voltaire's quote are inherently thought-provoking, let us now introduce an unexpected philosophical concept that adds further interest to our exploration. The concept of moral absolutism versus moral relativism invites us to question the very foundation of right and wrong. These two philosophical approaches offer contrasting perspectives on ethical judgments and provide differing frameworks for evaluating human behavior.

Moral absolutism asserts that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of the circumstances or cultural context. This view maintains that there are objective moral principles that exist universally and should guide human conduct. In contrast, moral relativism suggests that ethical judgments are subjective and depend on cultural, societal, or individual perspectives. According to this perspective, what is considered right or wrong can vary across different cultures and times.

When we align Voltaire's quote with the concept of moral relativism, the connection becomes even more evident. The manipulation discussed in the quote can exploit varying moral frameworks, depending on the beliefs and values instilled in individuals or communities. This manipulation can take advantage of the relativistic nature of ethical judgments, blurring the line between rationality and absurdity, leading people down a path of atrocities.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: philosophy; voltaire
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Common democrat absurdities:

Men can be women.
Systemic white racism.
Blacks cannot be racist.
Transgenderism is not a mental illness.
Girls can do anything boys can do.
The southern border is secure.
J6 posed a greater threat to the US than all of its wars combined.
Donald Trump and MAGA are existential threats.
Weather is an existential threat.
Islam is not an existential threat.

Outright lies, that if believed, lead one to eventually believe absurdities:
Democrats do not hate America as founded.
Democrats did not steal 2020 and do not work toward the same end in 2024.
Biden is an honest man and not in the pocket of the Chicoms.
Biden does not suffer cognitive issues.
China is not at war with the US.
China is not responsible for 100,000+ American drug deaths per year.
Christians are terrorists.
Donald Trump is racist.
Biden/Democrats do not fund Islamic terror directed at Israel and the US. Ad absurdum . . .

1 posted on 03/17/2024 11:35:29 AM PDT by Jacquerie
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To: Jacquerie

It worked for the nazis and now the libtards dehumanize their political enemies


2 posted on 03/17/2024 11:37:59 AM PDT by NWFree (Sigma male 🤪)
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To: Jacquerie

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”


It takes only ONE person to stand up to this. With one example, others will follow.


3 posted on 03/17/2024 11:38:39 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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To: Jacquerie

Bttt>


4 posted on 03/17/2024 11:41:10 AM PDT by Inyo-Mono
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To: Jacquerie

For such an evil man, Voltaire could sure turn a phrase.


5 posted on 03/17/2024 11:42:55 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("If you can’t say something nice . . . say the Rosary." [Red Badger])
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To: NWFree

Always remember, the real enemies are the elites who set us against each other.

Liberals are wrong about many things, but we’ve been mind-controlled to hate them unnecessarily.

When the cabal of elitists is eliminated, then the economic and political free markets will produce the desired outcome.


6 posted on 03/17/2024 11:43:43 AM PDT by reasonisfaith (What are the personal implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: Jacquerie

That is a great list of the absurdities!


7 posted on 03/17/2024 11:53:57 AM PDT by the_Watchman
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To: reasonisfaith
Always remember, the real enemies are the elites who set us against each other.

Khazarians again?

When the cabal of elitists is eliminated, then the economic and political free markets will produce the desired outcome.

Gee? WHO could you be referring to? STORMFRONT, where you get your FAKE NEWS Khazarian obsession, isn't so shy as you to say it.

8 posted on 03/17/2024 12:06:27 PM PDT by PJ-Comix (Yes, I am the Toxic Troll Terminator)
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To: Dr. Sivana
'those d---d Jesuits, when I was a boy b(u)g-g(a)red me to such an extent that I shall never get over it as long as I live'.

`I Shall Never Get Over it as Long as I Live'

9 posted on 03/17/2024 12:56:18 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
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To: NWFree
but look around....most people, even the nice ones we like, are rather stupid and shallow and believe anything and everything....

vaxx.....

10 posted on 03/17/2024 12:59:42 PM PDT by cherry
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To: cherry

They probably consume fake news


11 posted on 03/17/2024 1:13:05 PM PDT by NWFree (Sigma male 🤪)
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To: cherry

Fake news sponsored by pharmaceutical companies that pay Nora to act like she means it when she says this crap


12 posted on 03/17/2024 1:14:41 PM PDT by NWFree (Sigma male 🤪)
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To: Dr. Sivana
For such an evil man, Voltaire

Let's agree to disagree.

We might however agree that anyone who hasn't made up his mind, should read a thorough helping of Voltaire's works in order to make a judgment.

A side order of Rousseau and French history is also recommended.

13 posted on 03/17/2024 1:25:19 PM PDT by Buttons12 ( )
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To: Jacquerie; .45 Long Colt; Apple Pan Dowdy; BDParrish; Big Red Badger; BlueDragon; boatbums; ...
* Men can be women.
* Systemic white racism.
* Blacks cannot be racist.
Transgenderism is not a mental illness.
* Girls can do anything boys can do.
* The southern border is secure.
* J6 posed a greater threat to the US than all of its wars combined.
* Donald Trump and MAGA are existential threats.
* Weather is an existential threat.
* Islam is not an existential threat.

A different version (work in progress, by the grace of God):

The unborn are not human persons, which status is attained based upon location and functionality;
A women is under no obligation to provide care for the "product of conception," or suffer inconvenience due it, even if said product is the result of the women's "open border," but has an unequivocal right to expel the uninvited or unplanned, unwanted (by her, not others) product, up until said product is outside the womb (may be extended under "my house, my choice" right);
A country should have open borders, and provide care for all who entered the country, even if unplanned, or unwanted by some, and or if illegally due to current laws, and should be treated as citizens; regardless of costs;
Termination of the elderly, infirm, dysfunctional and or depressed is to be sought such as by means of seductive promotion of assisted suicide;
Gender is fluid, not biological;
Skin color is not biological but ideological, since conservatives are not black;
Blacks cannot be racist;
Homosexual relations are not immoral nor overall an unhealthy practice;
"Hate speech" is any form of expression animosity or disparagement of an individual or a group on account of a group characteristic such as race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion - except for Christianity - or sexual orientation;"
Negative expressions or opposition to homosexual relations by any individual or a group for any reason is hate speech, especially when expressed by white Christians, and which means they are to be labeled "homophobic;"
All white persons are racist;
Liberals cannot be guilty of hate speech;
Arithmetic is racist;
Cultural appropriation is insensitive and racist, except when practiced by a liberal voter base;
Since there is no absolute Truth, then Liberal Pluralism is the one true ideology, while those who affirm their religion or ideology is the one true ideology are intolerant.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is correct since it has as its goal that of Disparagement, Exclusion of and Injustices against any who express opposition to the one true ideology of the Left.
Conservatives are the cause of all wars; if America laid down its weapons then all nations would follow suit;
If all guns are outlawed, then only outlaws would have guns;
Traditional police should be disarmed or abolished, and replaced by liberal armed social workers;
Any persons who are in any way linked to accused Jan. 6 protesters should be arrested and imprisoned by force of arms in obedience to Democrats;
All persons who question Climageddon and or Covid-19 vaccine efficacy or who engage in subjectively-defined (by the Left) "hate speech" for any reason are to be treated as threats to the nation, placed under surveillance and have all speech and correspondence monitored and censored as need be.
No artist of any kind should be allowed to refuse to create custom works which they feel are morally offensive if such works are requested by those who are part of a certain protected class due to their feelings;
Democracy as we know it must be abolished in order to save Democracy;

14 posted on 03/17/2024 5:21:26 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Turn 2 the Lord Jesus who saves damned+destitute sinners on His acct, believe, b baptized+follow HIM)
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To: PJ-Comix

You’re against the free markets?

And you keep pushing “stormfront,” a known CIA false flag group?

You should know better than to push anti-Semitism.


15 posted on 03/17/2024 5:40:08 PM PDT by reasonisfaith (What are the personal implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: PJ-Comix

Actually, your best friends in stormfront are in fact a cabal of leftists, as are the CIA. But I repeat myself.

What you need to do is walk straight into the “stormfront” headquarters and resign your membership.


16 posted on 03/17/2024 5:44:53 PM PDT by reasonisfaith (What are the personal implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: PJ-Comix

When you first started pushing this “stormfront” group it reminded me of another loser, Richard Spencer I think is his name.

The guy wasn’t mentally able to refrain from advocating leftist talking points while at the same time trying to pretend he was a Trump supporter.


17 posted on 03/17/2024 5:50:11 PM PDT by reasonisfaith (What are the personal implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: reasonisfaith
A lot of wild lashing out without answering my basic question of where you got the kooky "Khazarian" conspiracy theory from and based on WHAT?

We await your answers IF you have any that you dare to share (probably not).

18 posted on 03/17/2024 6:40:09 PM PDT by PJ-Comix (Yes, I am the Toxic Troll Terminator)
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To: PJ-Comix

That’s like asking where we get information about the Sumerians, the first Russian civilization or the proto-Roman Etruscans.

It’s in multiple sources.


19 posted on 03/17/2024 9:14:31 PM PDT by reasonisfaith (What are the personal implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: reasonisfaith
That’s like asking where we get information about the Sumerians, the first Russian civilization or the proto-Roman Etruscans.

It’s in multiple sources.

Oh, so then it should be very very easy to ...NAME ONE.

20 posted on 03/18/2024 5:15:06 AM PDT by PJ-Comix (Yes, I am the Toxic Troll Terminator)
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