The security of society lies in custom and unconscious…
““The security of society lies in custom and unconscious instinct, and the basis of the stability of society, as a healthy organism, is the complete absence of any intelligence amongst its members. The great majority of people being fully aware of this, rank themselves naturally on the side of that splendid system that elevates them to the dignity of machines, and rage so wildly against the intrusion of the intellectual faculty into any question that concerns life, that one is tempted to define man as a rational animal who always loses his temper when he is called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society values conformity and instinct over critical thought, rewarding those who suppress reason in favor of collective stability.
In simple terms: Society rewards blind conformity over thinking.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of blind conformity.
Themes
conformity
reason
society
individualism
power
Mood
critical
provocative
Type
philosophical
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- political activism
- education reform
- media literacy
- workplace culture
- public policy
Key Concepts
social psychology
philosophy
critical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize comfort of the over truth?
- How does rational thought threaten social stability?
A Different Perspective
Blind conformity can stifle innovation and personal freedom.