Nature Quote by Dorothy L. Sayers
““The village that voted the earth was flat doubtless modified its own behavior and its system of physics accordingly, but its vote did not in any way modify the shape of the earth. That remains what it is, whether human beings agree or disagree about it, or even if they never discuss it or take notice of it at all. And if the earth's shape entails consequences for humanity, those consequences will continue to occur, whether humanity likes it or not, in conformity with the laws of nature.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Flat Earth Vote,” 1935
A democratic vote cannot change physical reality; facts remain constant regardless of belief or consensus.
In simple terms: Votes don’t alter facts.
Key Takeaway
Respect evidence over opinion.
Themes
science
democracy
truth
perception
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- public discourse
- media reporting
Key Concepts
epistemology
political philosophy
physics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle facts that contradict popular opinion?
- What role should democracy play in scientific matters?
A Different Perspective
People may resist facts that challenge beliefs.
![“The ancients had little doubt about the true shape of the earth: "It's [the world's] shape has the rounded appearance of a perfect sphere. This is shown first of all by the name of 'orb' which is bestowed upon it by the general consent of mankind. ...Our eyesight also confirms this belief, because…” quote by Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fc/pliny-the-elder-2838_appearance_the-ancients-had-little-doubt-about-the_1189606.jpg)
![“See that the mind is honest, first; the rest may follow or not as God wills. [That] the fundamental treason to the mind ... is the one fundamental treason which the scholar's mind must not allow is the bond uniting all the Oxford people in the last resort.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c74/dorothy-l-sayers-738_academia_see-that-the-mind-is-honest-first-the-re_16293.jpg)
![“Perhaps [the critics are right and] the drama is played out now and Jesus is safely dead and buried. Perhaps. It is ironical and entertaining to consider that at least once in the world's history those words might have been said with complete conviction, and that was on the eve of the Resurrection.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/467/dorothy-l-sayers-738_buried_perhaps-the-critics-are-right-and-the-dr_43252.jpg)
