Bad dream Quote by Steven Pinker
“Some people think that evolutionary psychology claims to have discovered that human nature is selfish and wicked. But they are flattering the researchers and anyone who would claim to have discovered the opposite. No one needs a scientist to measure whether humans are prone to knavery. The question has been answered in the history books, the newspapers, the ethnographic record, and the letters to Ann Landers. But people treat it like an open question, as if someday science might discover that it's all a bad dream and we will wake up to find that it is human nature to love one another.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker, 2011
Human nature includes both selfishness and altruism; history shows selfishness is not a new discovery.
In simple terms: Humans are both selfish and caring, known from history.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both sides of human behavior.
Themes
human nature
history
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- education
- media analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
evolutionary psychology
morality
social behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural narratives shape our view of human nature?
- Can we balance scientific findings with historical evidence?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on scientific authority can ignore cultural nuance.
