Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers must do service and all talents swear allegiance

Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers must do service and all talents swear allegiance

Friedrich Schiller, a German philosopher, poet, and playwright, was a prominent figure in the Romantic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was known for his emphasis on the importance of beauty, freedom, and the pursuit of individual happiness. In his works, Schiller often criticized the prevailing utilitarian mindset of his time, which prioritized practicality and efficiency above all else.

The quote “Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers must do service and all talents swear allegiance” reflects Schiller’s belief that society had become overly focused on material gain and utility, at the expense of higher ideals such as beauty, truth, and morality. He saw utility as a false idol that had taken hold of people’s minds and hearts, leading them to prioritize the pursuit of wealth and power over the cultivation of their inner selves.

For Schiller, true happiness and fulfillment could only be found through the pursuit of aesthetic and moral excellence. He believed that art, literature, and philosophy were essential tools for cultivating the human spirit and elevating it above the mundane concerns of everyday life. In his famous essay “On the Aesthetic Education of Man,” Schiller argued that the pursuit of beauty and truth was essential for the development of a truly free and enlightened society.