20th century Quote by Steven Pinker
“But the 20th century suffered "two" ideologies that led to genocides. The other one, Marxism, had no use for race, didn't believe in genes and denied that human nature was a meaningful concept. Clearly, it's not an emphasis on genes or evolution that is dangerous. It's the desire to remake humanity by coercive means (eugenics or social engineering) and the belief that humanity advances through a struggle in which superior groups (race or classes) triumph over inferior ones.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
The quote argues that dangerous ideologies stem from attempts to reshape humanity through coercion, not from genetics or evolution.
In simple terms: Danger comes from forced social engineering, not biology.
Key Takeaway
Beware coercive attempts to remake humanity.
Themes
ethics
politics
human rights
history
science
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- human rights advocacy
- public discourse
- academic research
Key Concepts
eugenics
social engineering
class struggle
racial hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we identify coercive motives in policies?
- Can scientific understanding prevent misuse?
A Different Perspective
Coercive ideologies can be justified by flawed moral arguments.
