Ancestor Quote by Havelock Ellis
“It is curious how there seems to be an instinctive disgust in Man for his nearest ancestors and relations. If only Darwin could conscientiously have traced man back to the Elephant or the Lion or the Antelope, how much ridicule and prejudice would have been spared to the doctrine of Evolution.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Philosophy of Sex, 1921
Humans often feel aversion toward close relatives, and if evolution were traced to familiar animals, prejudice against evolution might lessen.
In simple terms: People dislike close kin; linking evolution to known animals could reduce bias.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge innate biases.
Themes
bias
evolution
human nature
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- family dynamics
- education about evolution
- public debates on science
- personal introspection
Key Concepts
anthropology
psychology
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we instinctively reject familiar ancestors?
- How can education reshape these biases?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that scientific evidence, not ancestry, should counter prejudice.
