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What J W Goethe meant by this quote is probably this:

If the enslaved are aware of the fact that they are enslaved, the system is practically unsustainable and there are many good examples in history. The enslaved have strong incentive to rise against their slavers and the slavers have to guard them 24/7. There are big expenses for the slavers just to keep the slaves calm and the system has to break sooner or later.

But if the enslaved believe they are free, they have no reason to rise against the slavers, since they don't know there are any slavers at all. Thus the slavers don't have to worry about their safety and all they need to do is to make sure the slaves still think they are free. Such a system is sustainable for eternity. Therefore the people are "more hopelessly enslaved", because there is no hope to be set free.

As an example, we can take a Dictatorship-like Cuba or Iran-and a democracy-like the USA or Germany. In Cuba, most people are angry and hate Fidel Castro, because they are aware of the fact that they are enslaved. People try to escape from Cuba and there were many attempts to kill Castro. This is clearly unsustainable, the communist government will cease to exist sooner or later.

In democratic states, on the other hand, people believe they are free. The slavers strenghten this feeling by setting up "elections" (which makes the people believe they can change something), comparing themselves to dictatorships, dragging people's minds to different problems through media etc. When you look at reality, you can see that democracies have no problem with upkeeping the system.

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12y ago
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2d ago

This quote suggests that individuals who are unaware of their own limitations and constraints are actually in a more dire situation than those who acknowledge their lack of freedom. It highlights the danger of being oblivious to one's own oppression or controlling factors. The quote speaks to the idea that true freedom comes from self-awareness and challenging the status quo.

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Q: What does 'None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free' mean?
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free?

This statement reflects the idea that individuals can be enslaved by their own ignorance or misconceptions about their freedom. It suggests that true freedom comes from understanding one's circumstances and choices. It highlights the importance of self-awareness and critical thinking in achieving genuine liberation.


Why does Socrates agree that he is the wisest person in Athens?

Socrates believes he is the wisest person in Athens because he acknowledges his ignorance, while others are unaware of their own limitations. He recognizes that true wisdom lies in knowing that he does not know everything, unlike those who falsely believe they have all the answers.


How did the slaves trade shape the beliefs of those who were enslaved?

The experience of being traded as a slave reinforced the belief among enslaved individuals that they were seen and treated as property, rather than as human beings with rights. This dehumanization contributed to a sense of powerlessness and lack of agency among those who were enslaved. It also deepened their awareness of the brutality and injustice of the system that allowed human beings to be bought and sold.


What did the slave traders believe about slaves?

Slave traders often viewed slaves as property rather than individuals, seen as commodities to be bought and sold for profit. They justified their actions through racist beliefs and the concept of racial superiority, enabling them to exploit and dehumanize those they enslaved.


Was slavery good?

Slavery is inherently unethical as it involves the coercion and exploitation of individuals for labor against their will. It is a violation of fundamental human rights and dignity. Any perceived benefits from slavery are overshadowed by the harm and suffering it inflicts on those who are enslaved.

Related questions

''None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free'' what does this mean?

Those who are slaves will eventually become so desperate for freedom that they will fight, and if necessary, die for it. People fight for their freedom because they are tired of being slaves. If a slave allows himself to be falsely convinced he is already free, then in his mind, he has nothing to fight for. If you think about it, we convince ourselves of things that aren't true all the time. If you do something wrong your conscience tells you to admit it and make it right, but if you are afraid of the consequences you will simply silence your conscience by convincing yourself that what you did wasn't really that wrong. It was still wrong. Similarly, if you are a slave, but are too afraid of what might happen when you stand up and fight for your freedom, you can simply convince yourself that you are already free. You're still a slave. If you do not realize you're a slave, you will never defy your master.


Who is the patron saint of the falsely accused?

Two patrons of those falsely accused are St. Margaret of Cortona and St. Gerard Majella.


How did the European affect the arawak culture?

They slaughtered most of them and enslaved the rest but those who were enslaved died too because of disease.


How has science helped those falsely convicted of crimes?

Many individuals are convicted each day. Science has been able to help those who have been falsely convicted of crimes by examining DNA evidence that might link them to the crime.


Was the slave trade a good thing?

Certainly not for those enslaved. It should be remembered that slavery still exists today It made economic sense for those that enslaved people. Morally it was and remains indefensible.


How long will it take for the elite to implement total world domination?

Why, it is done. Those paranoid and gullible enough to believe such insanity, must already know that they are enslaved already, mind, body, and spirit.


What were the beliefs of Germany?

Those believe Aryans may be Veda believers & worshiping Sun


How did the experience of enslaved Africans in the north differ from that of enslaved in the south?

Those of the North had more isolation from white society. They created many musical influences an had great craftsmen ship


What three religions blended to create a unique way of life?

Those who believe, those who don't believe, and those who believe and don't believe.


Why do black men get abusive when they drink alcohol?

The answer has nothing to do with color: people tend to behave when intoxicated as they believe intoxicated people do. In those societies in which people do not believe that drinking causes disinhibition, it does not have that effect. In societies that view intoxication as an excuse for otherwise unacceptable behavior, people tend to act inappropriately when intoxicated. When people are falsely led to believe that they have been consuming, they tend to act as if they had been drinking. Likewise, when people are falsely led to believe that they have not been drinking alcohol but have, they tend not to act so intoxicated. I know of no evidence that black men are more abusive when intoxicated than any other category of men.


How did the experience of enslaved Africans in the North differ from that of the enslaved Africans in the South?

Those of the North had more isolation from white society. They created many musical influences an had great craftsmen ship


How did the experience of enslaved Africans in the north differ from the enslaved Africans in the south?

Those of the North had more isolation from white society. They created many musical influences an had great craftsmen ship