The fundamental error underlying the cult of moderation is a confusion between the processes of concept formation and measurement. If they wish to maintain and improve their lives, then rational human beings will apply their minds relentlessly, developing concepts to identify differences in kind and measurements to identify differences in degree. In their single-minded search for truth, they discover, by means of measurement, that certain quantities of warmth, vitamin A, exercise, sleep, and many other factors will best satisfy their needs.

Now suppose that a human being is guided by a principled, uncompromising dedication to reason and to his or her welfare. (Whether these are "proper" or "worthy" ideals remains to be addressed in a later section.) If that person seeks warmth, vitamin A, and other necessities of life in their optimal amounts, does that mean that he or she is now motivated by some allegiance to "moderation" or "compromise" as a principle? On the contrary, loyalty to one's concepts—including "truth," "life," and "value," often require that such a person recognize differences in degree (that is, measurements)—but without polluting the concepts themselves, which derive from differences in kind.