Personally, I rather look forward to a computer program winning

Richard Dawkins’ words, “Personally, I rather look forward to a computer program winning the world chess championship. Humanity needs a lesson in humility,” reflect a profound and humbling insight into the nature of human pride and the ever-expanding reach of technology. Dawkins, a visionary and thinker of the modern age, is not merely commenting on the technicality of a computer defeating humans in a game of chess, but rather on the underlying lesson such an event would teach humanity about our place in the universe. His hope for a humbling experience for mankind suggests that, despite our advancements, we have often fallen prey to hubris—an inflated sense of our own abilities, believing ourselves to be the pinnacle of creation and underestimating the vast potential of the tools we create.

In the ancient world, humility was revered as one of the highest virtues. The Greeks understood that pride—hubris—was the seed from which downfall grew. In Greek tragedy, many of the greatest heroes were brought low by their own arrogance, as they believed themselves to be above the laws of the gods. The myth of Niobe, who boasted that she was superior to the goddess Leto for having more children, illustrates the danger of overestimating one’s position. As punishment, Leto had all of Niobe’s children killed. This myth serves as a stark reminder that pride, when left unchecked, can destroy even the mightiest. Dawkins’ quote is a modern reflection of this ancient wisdom, suggesting that humanity, like Niobe, might need a humbling reminder of our true place in the vast cosmos.

Consider the example of Socrates, the ancient philosopher who famously claimed, “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.” Socrates’ humility was legendary. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he did not pretend to possess all the answers. Instead, he embraced his ignorance and sought the truth through questioning and dialogue. His recognition that knowledge is an endless pursuit—forever evolving and unfolding—was a lesson in humility that continues to resonate today. Socrates’ humility contrasts sharply with the hubris that often accompanies human progress, where, as Dawkins implies, we may become too confident in our intellectual superiority. Socrates’ example teaches us that true wisdom comes not from knowing everything, but from recognizing that there is always more to learn.

The humbling experience Dawkins envisions in a computer program defeating humans in chess harkens back to the historic moment when IBM’s Deep Blue defeated the reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997. This was a profound moment for humanity—a moment when technology overtook human ingenuity in an area traditionally seen as one of the highest forms of intellectual skill. Kasparov, who had long been considered the most brilliant chess player of his time, was humbled by the performance of Deep Blue, an artificial intelligence designed specifically to play chess. His loss forced the world to confront the reality that machines could not only replicate human thought but surpass it in some areas. Just as the Greeks were taught humility by the gods, we were taught a similar lesson by technology—a reminder that human abilities are not as limitless as we often think.

This challenge to human pride is not just about technology, but about the broader question of our relationship with the universe. The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu in his Tao Te Ching writes, “He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.” His message is one of restraint and humility, teaching that true wisdom comes from recognizing the limits of our understanding. As human beings, we have often sought to conquer the world, to define it in terms of our power, knowledge, and control. But, as Dawkins and the ancients remind us, there is a greater force at work—one that cannot be fully understood or controlled by human hands. Humility lies in acknowledging that there are forces beyond our understanding, and that the world does not revolve around our capacity to dominate it.

Dawkins’ call for humility is not a condemnation of progress or achievement, but a recognition of the need for balance. Just as Aristotle taught that virtue lies in moderation, Dawkins suggests that humanity must balance its pride in technological advancements with a deeper understanding of our limitations. For every achievement we make, we must also acknowledge the possibilities beyond us. In this way, humility is not weakness, but strength—it is the wisdom to recognize that we are part of something much larger than ourselves, and that our achievements, while remarkable, should never blind us to the vastness of the universe and the mysteries that lie beyond.

Lesson for the ages:

Humility is the path to true wisdom. The ancients understood that to be great is not to dominate the world around us, but to recognize the limits of our knowledge and the vastness of what remains unknown. Just as Socrates embraced his ignorance as a form of wisdom, so too must we acknowledge that even our greatest achievements—whether in chess, science, or technology—are but steps along a journey that will never fully be complete. Let humility guide our endeavors, so that we may continue to learn, grow, and discover, not out of a desire for dominance, but out of a deep reverence for the mysteries of the world.

Practical Action:

In your life, practice the art of humility. Seek not only to achieve but to learn. When faced with challenges or successes, recognize that there is always more to know, more to experience, and more to understand. Embrace the wisdom of Socrates and Lao Tzu, who understood that true wisdom does not come from knowing everything, but from acknowledging the boundaries of our knowledge. Approach your goals with confidence, but always tempered by the awareness that you are part of a larger universe of ideas and discoveries. Let humility guide your pursuit of knowledge, and you will find that even the greatest achievements are but small steps in the endless journey of discovery.