Religion is a feature of cultural evolution that, among other things, addresses anxieties created by cultural evolution; it helps keep social change safe from itself.
Robert WrightRead
Understanding the often unconscious nature of genetic control is the first step toward understanding that—in many realms, not just sex—we’re all puppets, and our best hope for even partial liberation is to try to decipher the logic of the puppeteer.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that genetic control influences our behavior and understanding this can lead to personal liberation.
Robert Wright articulates the idea that much of our behavior is shaped by genetic factors that often operate unconsciously. By recognizing this 'puppeteering,' we can begin to understand and potentially break free from these constraints, seeking empowerment through knowledge and awareness of our biological influences.
In practice
In a psychology class discussing nature versus nurture, this quote could illustrate the genetic influence on behavior.
Religion is a feature of cultural evolution that, among other things, addresses anxieties created by cultural evolution; it helps keep social change safe from itself.
Think of it : zillions and zillions of organisms running around, each under the hypnotic spell of a single truth, all these truths identical, and all logically incompatible with one another : 'My hereditary material is the most important material on earth; its survival justifies your frustration, pain, even death'. And you are one of those organisms, living your life in the thrall of a logical absurdity.
...human beings are a species splendid in their array of moral equipment, tragic in their propensity to misuse it, and pathetic in their ignorance of the misuse.
It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.
A government is like fire, a handy servant, but a dangerous master.
I am now convinced that theoretical physics is actually philosophy.
You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.
Freedom is the alone unoriginated birthright of man, and belongs to him by force of his humanity.
Excuse me, are you the imprint of a departed soul?
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