Skip to content

Congress Quote by Richard Dawkins

“Show me a cultural relativist at 30,000 feet and I'll show you a hypocrite ... If you are flying to an international congress of anthropologists or literary critics, the reason you will probably get there - the reason you don't plummet into a ploughed field - is that a lot of Western…” quote by Richard Dawkins
Download Open image
“Show me a cultural relativist at 30,000 feet and I'll show you a hypocrite ... If you are flying to an international congress of anthropologists or literary critics, the reason you will probably get there - the reason you don't plummet into a ploughed field - is that a lot of Western scientifically trained engineers have got their sum right.”

Richard Dawkins

About This Quote

Source Speech: Royal Society Lecture, 2010

Cultural relativism can be a façade; true understanding requires grounding in empirical science and rational critique.

In simple terms: Science grounds cultural critique.

Key Takeaway

Apply scientific reasoning.

Themes

science criticism relativism

Mood

analytical skeptical

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • policy analysis
  • education
  • public discourse
  • null

Key Concepts

philosophy anthropology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can science and cultural insight coexist?
  • When does relativism hinder truth?
A Different Perspective

May dismiss valuable cultural perspectives.

3.8 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Richard Dawkins

Explore all 1,239 Richard Dawkins quotes

More Congress quotes

Browse all 3,400 Congress quotes