After ages during which the earth produced harmless trilobites and butterflies, evolution progressed to the point at which it generated Neros, Genghis Khans, and Hitlers. This, however, is a passing nightmare; in time the earth will become again incapable of supporting life, and peace will return.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Evolution produced both harmless life and terrible humans; eventually Earth will become lifeless and peace will return.
- In plain terms
- Evolution led to both benign and monstrous beings; in the far future Earth will be lifeless, restoring peace.
- What can you take from it?
- Human history is a temporary, often tragic, stage in a long planetary cycle.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does recognizing humanity’s fleeting role change our responsibilities?
- How can we mitigate current suffering?
Another view
Predicting far‑future conditions is highly speculative.
More from Bertrand Russell
Change is one thing, progress is another. 'Change' is scientific, 'progress' is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy.
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