"The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world"

The certainty that one holds exclusive access to the absolute truth often breeds intolerance and conflict. When an individual or a group claims sole possession of the ultimate truth, dialogue becomes impossible; opposing views are not seen as contributions to understanding, but as threats that must be silenced or eradicated. This mindset plants the seeds of dogmatism, where questioning and self-examination are supplanted by rigid adherence to one’s own views.

History is littered with examples of such destructive certainty, religious conflicts, ideological purges, and even scientific disputes have been fueled by the refusal to acknowledge the potential validity of other perspectives. From the Inquisition to political totalitarianism, countless atrocities have been committed by those convinced their beliefs are infallibly right, justifying oppression, violence, and suppression of dissent. When the complexity of reality is ignored in favor of a singular narrative, the world is flattened into binary divisions: right and wrong, us and them, truth and falsehood. Those who think differently are demonized, dehumanized, and sometimes destroyed.

Max Born, as a physicist and philosopher of science, was likely acutely aware that true knowledge is provisional, evolving, and subject to revision. Science progresses not through unyielding certitude but through questioning, debate, and the willingness to accept mistakes. The humility to admit uncertainty and the recognition that others may hold pieces of the puzzle allow for cooperation, peaceful coexistence, and genuine progress.

The root of evil, then, is not simple error or ignorance, but the arrogant conviction that one’s errors or blind spots are impossible. Such certainty makes learning, empathy, and peace unattainable. Only by letting go of the illusion of exclusive truth can individuals and societies avoid the evils born of self-righteousness and cultivate an environment where diversity of thought leads to deeper understanding and a more harmonious world.