Source All great truths begin as blasphemies.
This single, provocative sentence from George Bernard Shaw encapsulates a profound observation about human progress. It suggests a turbulent lifecycle for every groundbreaking idea. Innovators and thinkers often introduce concepts that challenge the very foundation of societal beliefs. Consequently, society first meets these ideas not with applause, but with scorn and outrage. Shaw’s assertion forces us to reconsider our relationship with truth, authority, and the discomfort of change. This exploration delves into Shaw’s powerful statement, examining the journey of a truth from heresy to acceptance.
George Bernard Shaw – Biographical
The Power in a Word: What Shaw Meant by “Blasphemy”
To understand the quote, we must first deconstruct Shaw’s choice of the word “blasphemy.” Traditionally, blasphemy refers to the act of insulting or showing contempt for God or sacred things. However, Shaw employs the term in a much broader, secular sense. He extends its meaning to cover any idea that desecrates the established orthodoxies of the time, whether they are scientific, political, or cultural. For instance, a new scientific theory can be a blasphemy against the reigning scientific paradigm.
In Shaw’s view, every society holds certain beliefs as sacred and unquestionable. These form the bedrock of its stability and identity. Therefore, any person who introduces a contradictory “truth” is seen as a heretic. They are not just presenting a new fact; they are attacking the collective worldview. This metaphorical blasphemy threatens the comfort of convention. It forces people to confront the possibility that their long-held certainties might be wrong, which is an inherently disruptive and frightening process.
The Journey from Heresy to Dogma
Shaw’s quote outlines a predictable, albeit painful, path that revolutionary ideas often follow. This journey consists of several distinct stages, moving from radical outlier to unquestioned reality. Understanding this progression helps us see why intellectual courage is so essential for societal advancement.
Stage 1: Ridicule and Rejection
Initially, a great truth is met with dismissal. Source The establishment and the general public often label it as absurd, nonsensical, or dangerous. For example, when Ignaz Semmelweis proposed that doctors should wash their hands to prevent disease, his colleagues ridiculed him. . His idea, which we now consider basic hygiene, was a blasphemy against the medical practices of his era. This initial reaction serves as a powerful defense mechanism for the status quo, attempting to snuff out the challenging idea before it can gain any traction.
Stage 2: Violent Opposition
If the idea survives ridicule and begins to gather evidence or followers, the opposition intensifies. The new truth is no longer just laughable; it becomes a genuine threat. At this stage, established authorities may actively work to suppress it. Galileo Galilei faced house arrest for his blasphemous claim that the Earth revolved around the Sun. His work directly challenged the Church’s view of the cosmos. Similarly, advocates for women’s suffrage faced imprisonment and violence. This phase demonstrates the immense power that established systems wield to protect their own continuity against disruptive truths.
Stage 3: Gradual Acceptance and the New Orthodoxy
Despite the resistance, a truly great truth persists because it aligns more closely with reality. Over time, evidence accumulates. A new generation, less invested in the old ways of thinking, begins to adopt the once-radical idea. Eventually, what was once blasphemy transitions into common sense. The idea becomes so thoroughly integrated that people find it difficult to imagine a time when it was ever questioned. This final stage completes the cycle. The former heresy is now the new dogma, itself vulnerable to the next great truth that will one day begin its own life as a blasphemy.
A Reflection of the Man: Shaw’s Social Critique
This famous quote is not an isolated thought but a reflection of George Bernard Shaw’s entire worldview. As a prominent Fabian socialist, he was a relentless critic of social conventions and inequality. He believed that progress was impossible without intellectual rebellion. Shaw saw society as fundamentally conservative, clinging to outdated traditions and ideas long after they had lost their utility. He championed the role of the iconoclast—the individual willing to speak uncomfortable truths and challenge entrenched power.
Furthermore, Shaw argued that this resistance to new ideas was a form of intellectual laziness. It is far easier to accept the world as it is presented than to engage in the difficult work of questioning and rebuilding one’s understanding. Therefore, the quote serves as both an observation and a challenge. It observes the pattern of societal resistance while challenging the audience to be the ones who dare to listen to the blasphemers. He urges us to question our own sacred cows and consider whether our comfortable truths are, in fact, holding back progress.
Embracing the Blasphemous
In summary, George Bernard Shaw’s declaration that “all great truths begin as blasphemies” is a timeless insight into the mechanics of social and intellectual change. It reveals that progress is inherently disruptive. Every significant leap forward, from scientific revolutions to advancements in human rights, started as an idea that threatened the established order. The quote teaches us to be skeptical of our own certainties and to listen carefully to ideas that make us uncomfortable.
Ultimately, Shaw encourages a form of intellectual courage. He asks us to be brave enough to question orthodoxy and open-minded enough to entertain the blasphemous. After all, today’s heresy may very well be tomorrow’s self-evident truth. The next great idea that will shape our future is likely, at this very moment, being dismissed as nonsense.