Angels Quote by Paul Bloom
“Even in the most peaceful communities, an appetite for violence shows up in dreams, fantasies, sports, play, literature, movies and television. And, so long as we don't transform into angels, violence and the threat of violence - as in punishment and deterrence - is needed to rein in our worst instincts.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Against Empathy, Paul Bloom, 2016
Even peaceful societies harbor violent impulses expressed in various media; controlled violence may regulate darker instincts.
In simple terms: Violence persists beneath peace.
Key Takeaway
Channel aggression constructively.
Themes
violence
society
psychology
media
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- sports
- film
- literature
- games
Key Concepts
behavioral regulation
media influence
Questions to Reflect On
- Why does violence appear in dreams?
- How can societies reduce harmful aggression?
A Different Perspective
Risk of normalizing aggression.
![“Our best hope for the future [...] lies in an appreciation of the fact that, even if we don’t empathize with distant strangers, their lives have the same value as the lives of those we love.” quote by Paul Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/630/paul-bloom-3720_appreciation_our-best-hope-for-the-future-lies-in-an_177200.jpg)
