Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I agree. Great analysis.
Impartiality is a positive action to treat others fairly, without being a respecter of persons. God Himself has promised to treat us accordingly. Church elders were exhorted to do the same.
Not sure what GKC was referring to. Perhaps some language nuance?
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I googled the quote to see if there was some context, and couldn't find any. It seems to be a standalone quote. I came across a webpage or two of people giving their thoughts on the quote, and this is part of what one person said: "...Chesterton clearly points out that impartiality is really indifference. Indifference means lack of interest, concern, or sympathy, or unimportance. This is just a way of saying that to not have an opinion is still an opinion. Lack of interest is not being impartial it is being irresponsible."
I gotta say once again, I just don't agree here. What immediately comes to mind is a judge presiding over a case in court. They have to be impartial, but that by no means indifference in any conceivable way. You can be impartial and yet highly concerned and interested in the outcome.
The only thing I can think of where impartiality is a pompous name for indifference is, as stated earlier, in the face of clear injustice or wrongdoing. Claiming some kind of high-minded "impartiality" (or, could we say "we don't care for right or wrong") is then indeed a pompous form of indifference.