It becomes obvious the moment we acknowledge the futility…
““It becomes obvious the moment we acknowledge the futility of breeding men for special qualities as we breed cocks for game, greyhounds for speed, or sheep for mutton. What is really important in Man is the part of him that we do not yet understand. Of much of it we are not even conscious, just as we are not normally conscious of keeping up our circulation by our heart pump, though if we reject it we die. We are therefore driven to the conclusion that when we have carried selection as far as we can by rejecting from the list of eligible parents all persons who are uninteresting, unpromising, or blemished without any set-off, we shall have to trust to the guidance of fancy (alias Voice of Nature), both in the breeders and the parents, for that superiority in the unconscious self which will be the true characteristic of the Superman.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
We cannot fully engineer humanity; the unconscious aspects of humanity are essential and unknowable.
In simple terms: Human nature cannot be fully controlled by selective breeding.
Key Takeaway
Respect the unknown parts of humanity.
Themes
human nature
ethics
genetics
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- Education reform
- genetic policy
- personal development
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Unconscious mind
potential
superman concept
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of humanity are we overlooking?
- How can we value unconscious potential?
A Different Perspective
Assuming we can identify “uninteresting” traits is subjective and risky.