Isaiah Berlin
Isaiah Berlin
Sir Isaiah Berlin OM CBE FBAwas a Russian-British social and political theorist, philosopher and historian of ideas. He was an essayist, conversationalist, raconteur, and lecturer. In its obituary of the scholar, the Independent stated that "Isaiah Berlin was often described, especially in his old age, by means of superlatives: the world's greatest talker, the century's most inspired reader, one of the finest minds of our time... there is no doubt that he showed in more than one direction the unexpectedly...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth6 June 1909
CountryRussian Federation
confused believe men
If, as I believe, the ends of men are many, and not all of them are in principle compatible with each other, then the possibility of conflict—and of tragedy—can never wholly be eliminated from human life, either personal or social. The necessity of choosing between absolute claims is then an inescapable characteristic of the human condition. This gives its value to freedom as Acton conceived of it—as an end in itself, and not as a temporary need, arising out of our confused notions and irrational and disordered lives, a predicament which a panacea could one day put right
concerned decide general group life light man overall pattern point pursued rationally simple situations solutions ultimate values
The simple point which I am concerned to make is that where ultimate values are irreconcilable, clear-cut solutions cannot, in principle, be found. To decide rationally in such situations is to decide in the light of general ideals, the overall pattern of life pursued by a man or a group or a society.
assumption beyond century child confines far feeling great home natural personal roosevelt style twentieth typical
For all his sense of history, his large, untroubled, easy-going style of life, his unshakable feeling of personal security, his natural assumption of being at home in the great world far beyond the confines of his own country, Roosevelt was a typical child of the twentieth century and of the New World.
artistic belongs central chasm exists great pursue relate second single unrelated vision
There exists a great chasm between those, on one side, who relate everything to a single central vision... and, on the other side, those who pursue many ends, often unrelated and even contradictory... The first kind of intellectual and artistic personality belongs to the hedgehogs, the second to the foxes.
appetite basic churchill despite enthusiasm european fancy hosts love might moscow possibilities present remains restless roaming siren suit upset
Churchill for all his love of the present hour, his unquenchable appetite for new knowledge, his sense of the technological possibilities of our time, and the restless roaming of his fancy in considering how they might be most imaginatively applied, despite his enthusiasm for Basic English, or the siren suit which so upset his hosts in Moscow - despite all this, Churchill remains a European of the nineteenth century.
hate looks rage
One must look at what impiety hates, what puts it in a rage, what it attacks always, everywhere, and with fury - that will be the truth.
men cynical deeds
When a man speaks of the need for realism one may be sure that this is always the prelude to some bloody deed.
community desire individual
The desire not to be impinged upon, to be left to oneself, has been the markof high civilisation both on the part of individuals and communities.
wall world might
When one is engaged in a desperate defense of one's world and its values, nothing can be given away, any breach in the walls might be fatal, every point must be defended to the death.
loss choices may
We are doomed to choose and every choice may entail irreparable loss.
life opaque may
Life may be seen through many windows, none of them necessarily clear or opaque, less or more distorting than any of the others.
practice perfect suffering
No perfect solution is, not merely in practice, but in principle, possible in human affairs, and any determined attempt to produce it is likely to lead to suffering, disillusionment and failure.
law assumption human-nature
The underlying assumption that human nature is basically the same at all times, everywhere, and obeys eternal laws beyond human control, is a conception that only a handful of bold thinkers have dared to question.
fairness-and-equality justice liberty
Liberty is liberty, not equality or fairness or justice or human happiness or a quiet conscience.