--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In reality, of course, if any one age…" description: "\"“In reality, of course, if any one age really attains, by eugenics and scientific education, the power to make its descendants what it pleases, all men..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/c-s-lewis-121_computers_in-reality-of-course-if-any-one-age-real_171020.jpg" --- # In reality, of course, if any one age really attains, by… ![“In reality, of course, if any one age really attains, by eugenics and scientific education, the power to make its descendants what it pleases, all men who live after it are the patients of that power. They are weaker, not stronger: for though we may have put wonderful machines in their hands we…” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/c-s-lewis-121_computers_in-reality-of-course-if-any-one-age-real_171020.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/c-s-lewis-121_computers_in-reality-of-course-if-any-one-age-real_171020.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/c-s-lewis-121_computers_in-reality-of-course-if-any-one-age-real_171020.jpg) > ““In reality, of course, if any one age really attains, by eugenics and scientific education, the power to make its descendants what it pleases, all men who live after it are the patients of that power. They are weaker, not stronger: for though we may have put wonderful machines in their hands we have pre-ordained how they are to use them. And if, as is almost certain, the age which had thus attained maximum power over posterity were also the age most emancipated from tradition, it would be engaged in reducing the power of its predecessors almost as drastically as that of its successors. And we must also remember that, quite apart from this, the later a generation comes—the nearer it lives to that date at which the species becomes extinct—the less power it will have in the forward direction, because its subjects will be so few. There is therefore no question of a power vested in the race as a whole steadily growing as long as the race survives. The last men, far from being the heirs of power, will be of all men most subject to the dead hand of the great planners and conditioners and will themselves exercise least power upon the future.”” [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Future generations may be controlled by powerful elites, limiting true freedom and agency. **In simple terms:** Powerful groups may dominate future societies. Key Takeaway Beware of concentrated power over humanity. Themes power ethics future generations Mood cautious thoughtful Type political ethical When to use this quote - policy making - education reform - public discourse Key Concepts social engineering technological determinism Questions to Reflect On - Who should hold power for the common good? - How can societies guard against authoritarian planning? A Different Perspective Power can also enable positive change if responsibly used. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attains Eugenics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attains-eugenics-1851821/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Eugenics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eugenics/) [Eugenics Scientific](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eugenics-scientific-1851823/) [Extinct Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extinct-power-1851820/) [Later Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/later-generation-1851822/) ## Related quotes > [“Each generation exercises power over its successors: and each, in so far as it modifies the environment bequeathed to it and rebels against tradition,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/each-generation-exercises-power-over-its-successors-and-each-in-so/) [C.S. 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And we must also remember that, quite apart from this, the later a generation comes—the nearer it lives to that date at which the species becomes extinct—the less power it will have in the forward direction, because its subjects will be so few. There is therefore no question of a power vested in the race as a whole steadily growing as long as the race survives. The last men, far from being the heirs of power, will be of all men most subject to the dead hand of the great planners and conditioners and will themselves exercise least power upon the future.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "C.S. 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