Bakunin: Left to themselves people are noble, generous, uncorrupted, they'd create a completely new kind of society if only people weren't so blind, stupid and selfish. Herzen: Is that the same people or different people? Bakunin: The same people.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People have noble potential but are hindered by their own flaws.
- In plain terms
- Humans are good by nature but act badly due to ignorance.
- What can you take from it?
- Human nature contains both greatness and flaw.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are people inherently good or shaped by environment?
- Can society change without changing people?
Another view
It overlooks systemic factors beyond individual choice.
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