Aliens Quote by Orson Scott Card
“The difference between raman and varelse is not in the creature judged, but in the creature judging. When we declare an alien species to be raman, it does not mean that they have passed a threshold of moral maturity. It means that we have.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ender’s Game, 1985
Moral judgment is based on the judge’s maturity, not the judged creature’s nature.
In simple terms: We judge others based on our own growth.
Reflect on your own moral development.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- inter‑species diplomacy
- legal systems
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards define moral maturity?
- Can we judge without bias?
It assumes moral maturity can be measured objectively.