Psychology Quote by Edgar Rice Burroughs
““All he knew was that he could not eat the flesh of this black man, and thus hereditary instinct, ages old, usurped the functions of his untaught mind and saved him from transgressing a worldwide law of whose very existence he was ignorant.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Land That Time Forgot, Edgar Rice Burroughs, 1918
A man’s deep‑seated prejudice prevents him from harming a black individual, driven by an ancient instinct that overrides his conscious mind.
In simple terms: Prejudice guided by instinct protects from harming.
Key Takeaway
Examine hidden biases that steer actions.
Themes
prejudice
instinct
morality
racism
self‑control
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- colonial encounters
- interpersonal conflict
- law enforcement
- social interactions
Key Concepts
psychology of bias
evolutionary instincts
ethical dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we obey inherited instincts?
- Can conscious choice override deep bias?
A Different Perspective
Instincts may conflict with moral progress.
