Culture Quote by Bernard Rollin
““Immorality sanctified by tradition is still immorality.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Animal Rights: A Very Short Introduction by Bernard Rollin, 2005
Tradition does not excuse harmful actions; moral evaluation must be independent of customs.
In simple terms: Tradition isn’t a moral shield.
Key Takeaway
Judge actions by ethics, not custom.
Themes
ethics
tradition
morality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- animal welfare advocacy
- education
- legal reform
Key Concepts
deontology
cultural relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you separate cultural norms from ethical truths?
- When should tradition be challenged?
A Different Perspective
Customs can mask harmful practices, making change harder.
