The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity.
Umberto EcoRead
But why do some people support [the heretics]?" "Because it serves their purposes, which concern the faith rarely, and more often the conquest of power." "Is that why the church of Rome accuses all its adversaries of heresy?" "That is why, and that is also why it recognizes as orthodoxy any heresy it can bring back under its own control or must accept because the heresy has become too strong.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses how power dynamics influence the labeling of beliefs as heresy or orthodoxy.
In this quote, Umberto Eco reflects on the tendency of institutions, particularly the Church, to manipulate beliefs for their own power. He asserts that accusations of heresy often stem from a desire for control rather than genuine concern for faith, and that heresies can be accepted if they align with the institution's interests or strength. This highlights the complex interplay between belief systems and power structures.
Themes
PowerFaithHeresyControlInstitution
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about the influence of religion on politics, this quote emphasizes how power shapes belief.
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