Neutrality Quote by Howard Zinn
““Why should we cherish “objectivity”, as if ideas were innocent, as if they don’t serve one interest or another? Surely, we want to be objective if that means telling the truth as we see it, not concealing information that may be embarrassing to our point of view. But we don’t want to be objective if it means pretending that ideas don’t play a part in the social struggles of our time, that we don’t take sides in those struggles. Indeed, it is impossible to be neutral. In a world already moving in certain directions, where wealth and power are already distributed in certain ways, neutrality means accepting the way things are now. It is a world of clashing interests – war against peace, nationalism against internationalism, equality against greed, and democracy against elitism – and it seems to me both impossible and undesirable to be neutral in those conflicts.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture, 2002
It argues that true objectivity is impossible because ideas are always tied to interests and power structures; neutrality supports the status quo.
In simple terms: Objectivity is biased by power and interests.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and act on the political implications of ideas.
Themes
politics
ethics
truth
power
neutrality
Mood
critical
provocative
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- journalism
- academic research
- activism
- public discourse
Key Concepts
social theory
critical thinking
ideology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your own interests shape your view of truth?
- When is taking a stance more ethical than remaining neutral?
A Different Perspective
Neutrality can be used to mask privilege and silence dissent.
