"In a society such as ours, it is almost impossible for a person to be responsible. A simple example: a dam has been built somewhere, and it bursts. Who is responsible for that? Geologists worked out. They examined the terrain. Engineers drew up the construction plans. Workmen constructed it. And the politicians decided that the dam had to be in that spot. Who is responsible? No one. There is never anyone responsible. Anywhere. In the whole of our technological society the work is so fragmented and broken up into small pieces that no one is responsible. But no one is free either. Everyone has his own, specific task. And that's all he has to do. Just consider, for example, that atrocious excuse… It was one of the most horrible things I have ever heard. The director of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was asked at the Nuremburg trials, “But didn’t you find it horrible? All those corpses?” He replied, “What could I do? I couldn’t process all those corpses. The capacity of the ovens was too small. It caused me many problems. I had no time to think about these people. I was too busy with the technical problem of my ovens.” That is the classic example of an irresponsible person. He carries out his technical task and isn’t interested in anything else."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Anarchists from FranceAcademics from FrancePhilosophers from FranceChristian existentialistsEducators from France
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Imported from EN Wikiquote
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jacques_Ellul
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Jacques Ellul
Jacques Ellul (6 January 1912 – 19 May 1994) was a French philosopher, law professor, sociologist, lay theologian, and [[Christian anarchism|Christian an
117 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Jacques Ellul →
Related Quotes
"No technique is possible when men are free. When technique enters into the realm of social life, it collides ceaseles…"
"In point of fact there are a certain number of values and of forces which are of decisive importance in our world civ…"
"Anarchism can teach Christian thinkers to see the realities of our societies from a different standpoint than the dom…"
"I describe a world with no exit, convinced that God accompanies man throughout his history."
"This is why there is such an incredible stress on information in our schools. The important thing is to prepare young…"
"There are different forms of anarchy and different currents in it. I must, first say very simply what anarchy I have …"
"Faith lived in the incognito is one which is located outside the criticism coming from society, from politics, from h…"
"If people lose their motive for living, two things can happen. It only seldom happens that they can accept that fact.…"
"I can very well say without hesitation that all those who have political power, even if they use it well have acquire…"
"Technique shapes an aristocratic society, which in turn implies aristocratic government. Democracy in such a society …"