This is a deeply thought-provoking selection of quotes, and I find each one compelling in its own way. Here’s my reflection on them:
1️⃣ Optimism vs. Intellectual Pessimism
Golding's tension between emotional optimism and intellectual pessimism reminds me of the age-old debate in philosophy: can hope be rational? Spinoza and Nietzsche might argue that emotion is often an illusion, a veil over reality. Yet, Pascal might counter that sometimes, belief—irrational as it may seem—can be a survival mechanism. Is it foolish to hope against logic, or is hope itself a form of defiance?
2️⃣ The Illusion of Moral Superiority
The idea that "it could happen here" should terrify us more than it does. History has proven that atrocities are not the domain of a single culture, but a human possibility under the right (or wrong) conditions. This dismantles the comforting myth that democracy, education, or economic prosperity inherently inoculate a society from collapse. The fall of the Weimar Republic, McCarthyism, and even modern waves of political extremism are reminders that no nation is immune. What safeguards, then, are truly effective? And are they enough?
3️⃣ Earth as a Finite Jewel
Golding’s poetic rendering of the Earth contrasts with the cold data of environmental science, and in that contrast lies a question: does emotion drive action more effectively than logic? Neuroscience suggests that we are not persuaded by numbers, but by stories. If facts alone sufficed, climate change would not still be debated. Perhaps the power of metaphor—Gaia Mater, a fragile jewel—is the missing force in our discourse.
4️⃣ Civilization and Atrocity
The final quote is the most haunting. It echoes Arendt’s banality of evil—the unsettling truth that atrocities are often committed not by monsters, but by ordinary, educated people. This dismantles the naive belief that knowledge alone refines morality. If anything, history suggests the opposite: intelligence, when unmoored from ethical grounding, can rationalize horrors with chilling efficiency. The real question is, then: what kind of education prevents evil? And are we providing it?
Brilliant curation of quotes and questions—each one invites a spiral of thought. Would love to hear what others think!
1) Hope can be rational, it depends on what one expects, there are situations that happen quite often, but of which we have at the moment no certainty and probably some doubts. If it is unrealistic, it probably is not, eg. it happens that at the threshold of death one does not die, not yet, in the situation it seemed unrealistic, but it still happens. An illusion is something else, an illusory hope can never be realized, but could express itself in a great despair e.g.
2) The only measure against this, is simple, but not understood therefore not shared by the majority. It is about getting involved in the life of the city, to oppose from the beginning bad management, decisions etc. whether they are governmental or social. And currently, if most would defend themselves and their families, it would be the majority who will have the last word, but strangely no one or almost does not actively oppose, not in writing on social networks, easy but ineffective, we note bitterly. The majority is sufficient, it must be non-violent but effective.
3) For some perhaps, many have expressed the beauty of this world, its importance to all living things, but that has not been enough. I think we should be more honest, admit that it does not matter to us, overall of course, since there are people very involved and active. Reflect on the true value of all living beings, not just humans. It is not only about our survival, but equal rights for all, every living being deserves the best living conditions. This world is so beautiful, maybe we are more sensitive to that than the rest?
Take into account in our writings, poems reflections, educations etc. the extraordinary of living, If we talk about respect for ourselves, is it not the same for all beings?
4) Indeed, evil can also happen with good intentions, thinking about it rationally is important, but not sufficient. An education centered on the respect of all living, its own value...
No, unfortunately, except for a few private schools, but it’s never too late.
Nerve hit... this is all snowballing towards the same atrocities in the UK and Europe. They are happening and its still the (supposedly) educated tweaking the rules towards totalitarianism. Lest we forget? I think they've just covered it up.
Very interesting to find that Golding was on balance an optimist, Which is not the impression you get from his books. Apparently when he was asked what he was trying to say with _Lord of the Flies_ he replied along the lines of "I'm saying that human beings are evil."
I also think so, but it is not, in my opinion, a fixed state, fixed forever, the absence of evil, at least to a large extent, can be achieved, remains to know to what extent, there is only time that can prove it.
This requires an awareness, accompanied by a particular condition in some, see in all, who knows.
It is (for me) the most important topic in this world.
Great quotes and thought provoking follow up questions.
Regarding #1, I can’t help but fall back to the good ‘ol “gut feeling” when being pulled between emotional and intellectual “rationale”. A great opportunity to step back and gain perspective from both sides of the spectrum. Yet, somehow, some way, we have been conditioned to generally trust our gut.
"Yet, somehow, some way, we have been conditioned to generally trust our gut."
But as for the tools, each one serves specific uses, it is the same, in my opinion, for our mind, the deep reflections and reasoning, serve to distinguish well errors, opinions, emotions, instincts and other thoughts. With good reasoning, we can solve most of our problems, and some concerning the world outside us personally.
The statement “It could happen here” suggests that no society is immune to moral collapse. What historical and contemporary examples support this warning? How does this perspective challenge the idea that certain democratic institutions or cultural values make a country immune to authoritarianism or oppression?
‘No society is immune to moral collapse,’ because no society is immune from humanity. Humans are born with the unique capacity to choose, good over evil. Power, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, pride, sloth, rage, vanity etc are inherent in every individual. History, and the current examples of worldwide societal savagery and moral collapse, are evidence. Failure to act on behalf of individual and societal moral values is even more destructive than individuals who abuse their power.
I have initiated "CAN FICTION HELP US THRIVE" to empower writers who create fiction with an overarching sustainable vision.
My book, "The Jacksons Debate," is published under this banner.
It explores the ethical complexities of interspecies relations through the lens of an advanced alien civilization called the Jacksons. The novel challenges readers to consider how easily a more advanced civilization might view humans as a resource, mirroring humanity's own treatment of other species on Earth.
Quote #4 really got to me and was especially well-chosen because of its contemporary accuracy. Scary for the same reason. For those interested , I recommend you read “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis. It was written in 1935 as fiction and describes the decline of the U.S. into totalitarianism, by way of things that are actually happening in the U.S., right now.
This is a deeply thought-provoking selection of quotes, and I find each one compelling in its own way. Here’s my reflection on them:
1️⃣ Optimism vs. Intellectual Pessimism
Golding's tension between emotional optimism and intellectual pessimism reminds me of the age-old debate in philosophy: can hope be rational? Spinoza and Nietzsche might argue that emotion is often an illusion, a veil over reality. Yet, Pascal might counter that sometimes, belief—irrational as it may seem—can be a survival mechanism. Is it foolish to hope against logic, or is hope itself a form of defiance?
2️⃣ The Illusion of Moral Superiority
The idea that "it could happen here" should terrify us more than it does. History has proven that atrocities are not the domain of a single culture, but a human possibility under the right (or wrong) conditions. This dismantles the comforting myth that democracy, education, or economic prosperity inherently inoculate a society from collapse. The fall of the Weimar Republic, McCarthyism, and even modern waves of political extremism are reminders that no nation is immune. What safeguards, then, are truly effective? And are they enough?
3️⃣ Earth as a Finite Jewel
Golding’s poetic rendering of the Earth contrasts with the cold data of environmental science, and in that contrast lies a question: does emotion drive action more effectively than logic? Neuroscience suggests that we are not persuaded by numbers, but by stories. If facts alone sufficed, climate change would not still be debated. Perhaps the power of metaphor—Gaia Mater, a fragile jewel—is the missing force in our discourse.
4️⃣ Civilization and Atrocity
The final quote is the most haunting. It echoes Arendt’s banality of evil—the unsettling truth that atrocities are often committed not by monsters, but by ordinary, educated people. This dismantles the naive belief that knowledge alone refines morality. If anything, history suggests the opposite: intelligence, when unmoored from ethical grounding, can rationalize horrors with chilling efficiency. The real question is, then: what kind of education prevents evil? And are we providing it?
Brilliant curation of quotes and questions—each one invites a spiral of thought. Would love to hear what others think!
1) Hope can be rational, it depends on what one expects, there are situations that happen quite often, but of which we have at the moment no certainty and probably some doubts. If it is unrealistic, it probably is not, eg. it happens that at the threshold of death one does not die, not yet, in the situation it seemed unrealistic, but it still happens. An illusion is something else, an illusory hope can never be realized, but could express itself in a great despair e.g.
2) The only measure against this, is simple, but not understood therefore not shared by the majority. It is about getting involved in the life of the city, to oppose from the beginning bad management, decisions etc. whether they are governmental or social. And currently, if most would defend themselves and their families, it would be the majority who will have the last word, but strangely no one or almost does not actively oppose, not in writing on social networks, easy but ineffective, we note bitterly. The majority is sufficient, it must be non-violent but effective.
3) For some perhaps, many have expressed the beauty of this world, its importance to all living things, but that has not been enough. I think we should be more honest, admit that it does not matter to us, overall of course, since there are people very involved and active. Reflect on the true value of all living beings, not just humans. It is not only about our survival, but equal rights for all, every living being deserves the best living conditions. This world is so beautiful, maybe we are more sensitive to that than the rest?
Take into account in our writings, poems reflections, educations etc. the extraordinary of living, If we talk about respect for ourselves, is it not the same for all beings?
4) Indeed, evil can also happen with good intentions, thinking about it rationally is important, but not sufficient. An education centered on the respect of all living, its own value...
No, unfortunately, except for a few private schools, but it’s never too late.
Thank you, Alpha Pascal, for your insightful comments today.
Nerve hit... this is all snowballing towards the same atrocities in the UK and Europe. They are happening and its still the (supposedly) educated tweaking the rules towards totalitarianism. Lest we forget? I think they've just covered it up.
Maybe the emotional depths of what humans have done to one another are too disturbing for us all to look at...
Very interesting to find that Golding was on balance an optimist, Which is not the impression you get from his books. Apparently when he was asked what he was trying to say with _Lord of the Flies_ he replied along the lines of "I'm saying that human beings are evil."
I also think so, but it is not, in my opinion, a fixed state, fixed forever, the absence of evil, at least to a large extent, can be achieved, remains to know to what extent, there is only time that can prove it.
This requires an awareness, accompanied by a particular condition in some, see in all, who knows.
It is (for me) the most important topic in this world.
Great quotes and thought provoking follow up questions.
Regarding #1, I can’t help but fall back to the good ‘ol “gut feeling” when being pulled between emotional and intellectual “rationale”. A great opportunity to step back and gain perspective from both sides of the spectrum. Yet, somehow, some way, we have been conditioned to generally trust our gut.
"Yet, somehow, some way, we have been conditioned to generally trust our gut."
But as for the tools, each one serves specific uses, it is the same, in my opinion, for our mind, the deep reflections and reasoning, serve to distinguish well errors, opinions, emotions, instincts and other thoughts. With good reasoning, we can solve most of our problems, and some concerning the world outside us personally.
The statement “It could happen here” suggests that no society is immune to moral collapse. What historical and contemporary examples support this warning? How does this perspective challenge the idea that certain democratic institutions or cultural values make a country immune to authoritarianism or oppression?
‘No society is immune to moral collapse,’ because no society is immune from humanity. Humans are born with the unique capacity to choose, good over evil. Power, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, pride, sloth, rage, vanity etc are inherent in every individual. History, and the current examples of worldwide societal savagery and moral collapse, are evidence. Failure to act on behalf of individual and societal moral values is even more destructive than individuals who abuse their power.
Hi
I have initiated "CAN FICTION HELP US THRIVE" to empower writers who create fiction with an overarching sustainable vision.
My book, "The Jacksons Debate," is published under this banner.
It explores the ethical complexities of interspecies relations through the lens of an advanced alien civilization called the Jacksons. The novel challenges readers to consider how easily a more advanced civilization might view humans as a resource, mirroring humanity's own treatment of other species on Earth.
It can be found here - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228994545-the-jacksons-debate
It is happening here sadly.
Golding doesn’t philosophize, he performs a clean dissection.
He doesn’t ask what we think of ourselves, he reminds us what we’re capable of: with or without diplomas, flags or rituals.
It’s almost funny how many still treat intelligence or democracy like inoculation against collapse.
As if brutality only wears bones in the jungle and never suits in boardrooms.
His words don’t comfort. They confront.
And thank gods for that. We need fewer answers and more mirrors that burn. 💛🕯️🔥
Quote #4 really got to me and was especially well-chosen because of its contemporary accuracy. Scary for the same reason. For those interested , I recommend you read “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis. It was written in 1935 as fiction and describes the decline of the U.S. into totalitarianism, by way of things that are actually happening in the U.S., right now.
So timely and thought-provoking.
I usually like the Wisdom letters, but I find this one in particular a little too wordy and confusing.