Four years ago a large part of the civilised world laboured under certain biological fallacies which may, in a sense, be held responsible for the extent and duration of the present conflict. These fallacies, which were the foundation of pacifism and other pernicious forms of social and political radicalism, dealt with the capacity of man to evolve mentally beyond his former state of subservience to primate instinct and pugnacity, and to conduct his affairs and international or interracial relations on a basis of reason and good-will. That belief in such capability is unscientific and childishly naive, is beside the question.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lovecraft dismisses the belief that humans can evolve beyond instinct, arguing it is naive and responsible for political conflict.
- In plain terms
- Humans have not evolved beyond animal instincts and believing they have caused political mistakes.
- What can you take from it?
- Human behavior remains driven by instincts despite social progress.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are we really driven by instincts?
- Can humanity truly evolve beyond instinct?
Another view
It ignores cultural and social evolution beyond biological traits.
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