Conscientious objectors Quote by Richard Dawkins
““People despised conscientious objectors, even those of the enemy country, because patriotism was held to be an absolute virtue. It is hard to get much more absolute than the ‘My country right or wrong’ of the professional soldier, for the slogan commits you to kill whomever the politicians of some future date might choose to call enemies.””
About This Quote
Patriotism is portrayed as an absolute virtue that forces individuals to support any national cause, even when it leads to killing, highlighting the moral danger of uncritical loyalty.
In simple terms: Blind patriotism can compel people to justify violence.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of absolute national loyalty.
Themes
ethics
patriotism
war
morality
political ideology
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- military service
- political activism
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
moral absolutism
critical thinking
national identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the limits of patriotism?
- How can societies encourage critical patriotism?
A Different Perspective
Absolute loyalty can suppress dissent and ethical reasoning.
![“It was only after I'd grown up and left that I developed an attitude [towards the South]. And at first my attitude was that I was ashamed of it. But the older I got the more I realize that the transgressions of the South were the transgressions of mankind, and that there were certain things that…” quote by V. S. Naipaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0cd/v-s-naipaul-3828_family_it-was-only-after-i-d-grown-up-and-left_3147699.jpg)
