Sidney Hook Quotes

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Sidney Hook was a distinguished American philosopher known for his contributions to pragmatism and his advocacy for intellectual freedom and democratic ideals. As a leading figure in the New York Intellectuals group, Hook engaged in lively debates on topics ranging from Marxism to existentialism, leaving a lasting impact on American intellectual discourse. His defense of reason, liberty, and human dignity remains relevant in today's complex world.

"Those who say that life is worth living at any cost have already written an epitaph of infamy, for there is no cause and no person that they will not betray to stay alive."

"Those who say that life is worth living at any cost have already written an epitaph of infamy, for there is no cause and no person that they will not betray to stay alive."

Life, Cause, Living, Will

3

"I was guilty of judging capitalism by its operations and socialism by its hopes and aspirations; capitalism by its works and socialism by its literature."

"I was guilty of judging capitalism by its operations and socialism by its hopes and aspirations; capitalism by its works and socialism by its literature."

Literature, Aspirations, Capitalism, Socialism

3

"Philosophy, most broadly viewed, is the critical survey of existence from the standpoint of value."

"Philosophy, most broadly viewed, is the critical survey of existence from the standpoint of value."

Existence, Philosophy, Value

4

"Tolerance always has limits - it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant."

"Tolerance always has limits - it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant."

Limit, Limits, Tolerance

3

"Before impugning an opponent's motives, even when they legitimately may be impugned, answer his arguments."

"Before impugning an opponent's motives, even when they legitimately may be impugned, answer his arguments."

Respect, Arguments, May, Motives

4

"Fear of death has been the greatest ally of tyranny past and present."

"Fear of death has been the greatest ally of tyranny past and present."

Death, Fear, Past, Present

7

"Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system."

"Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system."

Education, Heart, Teachers

16

"Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness."

"Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness."

Fool, Foolishness, Idealism, Ignorance

2

"Students rarely disappoint teachers who assure them in advance that they are doomed to failure."

"Students rarely disappoint teachers who assure them in advance that they are doomed to failure."

Failure, Students, Teachers

8

"Wisdom is a kind of knowledge. It is knowledge of the nature, career, and consequences of human values."

"Wisdom is a kind of knowledge. It is knowledge of the nature, career, and consequences of human values."

Wisdom, Nature, Knowledge, Values

5

"To silence criticism is to silence freedom."

"To silence criticism is to silence freedom."

Criticism, Freedom, Silence

4

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