The Only Standard

"Nevertheless, I would offer one reason for seriously questioning the view that a sound and adequate moral philosophy is impossible as such (that is, without the transformations and qualifications that a dogmatic moral theology would insist upon). My reason is couched in Aristotelian terms, and it is as follows.

The only standard we have for judging all of our social, economic, and political institutions and arrangements as just or unjust, as good or bad, as better or worse, derives from our conception of the good life for man on earth, and from our conviction that, given certain external conditions, it is possible for men to make good lives for themselves by their own efforts."

(Mortimer J. Adler, The Time of Our Lives)

[The Mortimer J. Adler Archive]