Admitting Quote by Richard Dawkins
![“[R]eductionism' is one of those things, like sin, that is only mentioned by people who are against it. To call oneself a reductionist will sound, in some circles, a bit like admitting to eating babies. But, just as nobody actually eats babies, so nobody is really a reductionist in any sense worth…” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/530/richard-dawkins-115_admitting_r-eductionism-is-one-of-those-things-lik_2689016.jpg)
“[R]eductionism' is one of those things, like sin, that is only mentioned by people who are against it. To call oneself a reductionist will sound, in some circles, a bit like admitting to eating babies. But, just as nobody actually eats babies, so nobody is really a reductionist in any sense worth being against.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The God Delusion, 2006
Reductionism is often dismissed by opponents, similar to absurd accusations.
In simple terms: Reductionism is unfairly vilified.
Key Takeaway
Critically evaluate scientific labels.
Themes
science
reductionism
stigma
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
scientific
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- science communication
- education policy
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people resist reductionist explanations?
- When is reductionism useful?
A Different Perspective
Reductionist views can oversimplify complex systems.
![“"If our world is regulated by reductionist, narrow, sophomoric versions of Darwin; or reductionist, narrow, sophomoric versions of religious dogma; you end up being childishly anti-scientific, and childishly anti-religious, and you miss the very complex interaction [they share]” quote by Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ae/cornel-west-708_religion_if-our-world-is-regulated-by-reductionis_1020794.jpg)
![“In the past, [medicalization]has been portrayed as something that doctors inflict on a passive and un-suspecting world - an expansion of the Medical Empire. But in reality, it seems that these reductionist bio-medical stories can appeal to us all, because complex problems often have…” quote by Ben Goldacre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84e/ben-goldacre-9578_appeals_in-the-past-medicalization-has-been-port_921552.jpg)
