You still stand watch, O human star, burning without a flicker, perfect flame, bright and resourceful spirit. Each of your rays a great idea - O torch which passes from hand to hand, from age to age, world without end.
Karel CapekRead
Relativism is not indifference; on the contrary, passionate indifference is necessary in order for you not to hear the voices that oppose your absolute decrees...
Interpretation
What this quote means
Relativism suggests that one should be open to different perspectives rather than being rigidly committed to oneβs own beliefs.
In this quote, Karel Capek expresses the idea that relativism, often misunderstood as a lack of concern or commitment, actually requires a deep engagement and a passionate detachment from one's own absolute beliefs. This detachment enables individuals to genuinely listen to and acknowledge opposing views, thus enriching their understanding of complex issues instead of falling into dogmatism.
Themes
RelativismIndifferencePassionateOpposing ViewsBeliefs
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate, one might quote this to encourage openness to other viewpoints.
More from Karel Capek
All quotes βRobots do not hold on to life. They can't. They have nothing to hold on with - no soul, no instinct. Grass has more will to live than they do.
Karel CapekRead
It's not possible to search for God using the methods of a detective... There is no way. You can only wait till God's axe severs your roots: then you will understand that you are here only through a miracle, and you will remain fixed forever in wonderment and equilibrium.
Karel CapekRead
It suddenly occurred to me that every move on the chessboard is old and has been played by somebody at some time. Maybe our own history has been played out by somebody at some time, and we just move our pieces about in the same moves to strike in the same way as people have always done.
Karel CapekRead
Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which a man gives his heart.
Karel CapekRead
Robots of the world, you are ordered to exterminate the human race. Do not spare the men. Do not spare the women. Preserve only the factories, railroads, machines, mines, and raw materials. Destroy everything else. Then return to work. Work must not cease.
Karel CapekRead
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We start out a million years ago in a small community on some grassy plain; we hunt animals, have children, and develop a rich social, sexual, and intellectual life, but we know almost nothing about our surroundings.
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