Man's Most Dangerous Myth: The Fallacy of Race

Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Man's Most Dangerous Myth: The Fallacy of Race by Ashley Montagu, Read Books Ltd.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ashley Montagu ISBN: 9781447495208
Publisher: Read Books Ltd. Publication: November 29, 2011
Imprint: Whitley Press Language: English
Author: Ashley Montagu
ISBN: 9781447495208
Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
Publication: November 29, 2011
Imprint: Whitley Press
Language: English

DR. ASHLEY MONTAGU’S book possesses two great merits rarely found in current discussions of human problems. Where most writers over-simplify, he insists on the principle of multiple and interlocking causation. And where most assume that “facts will speak for themselves,” he makes it clear that facts are mere ventriloquists’ dummies, and can be made to justify any course of action that appeals to the socially conditioned passions of the individuals concerned. These two truths are sufficiently obvious; but they are seldom recognized, for the good reason that they are very depressing. To recognize the first truth is to recognize the fact that there are no panaceas and that therefore most of the golden promises made by political reformers and revolutionaries are illusory. And to recognize the truth that facts do not speak for themselves, but only as man’s socially conditioned passions dictate, is to recognize that our current educational processes can do very little to ameliorate the state of the world. In the language of traditional theology (so much more realistic, in many respects, than the “liberal” philosophies which replaced it), most ignorance is voluntary and depends upon acts of the conscious or subconscious will. Thus, the fallacies underlying the propaganda of racial hatred are not recognized because, as Dr. Montagu points out, most people have a desire to act aggressively, and the members of other ethnic groups are convenient victims, whom one may attack with a good conscience. This desire to act aggressively has its origins in the largely unavoidable frustrations imposed upon the individual by the processes of early education and later adjustments to the social environment. Dr. Montagu might have added that aggressiveness pays a higher dividend in emotional satisfaction than does coöperation. Coöperation may produce a mild emotional glow; but the indulgence of aggressivness can be the equivalent of a drinking bout or sexual orgy. In our industrial societies, the goodness of life is measured in terms of the number and intensity of the excitements experienced. (Popular philosophy is moulded by, and finds expression in, the advertising pages of popular magazines. Significantly enough, the word that occurs more frequently in those pages than any other is “thrill.”) Like sex and alcohol, aggressiveness can give enormous thrills. Under existing social conditions, it is therefore easy to represent aggressiveness as good. Concerning the remedies for the social diseases he has so penetratingly diagnosed, Dr. Montagu says very little, except that they will have to consist in some process of education. But what process? It is to be hoped that he will answer this question at length in another work. ALDOUS HUXLEY

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

DR. ASHLEY MONTAGU’S book possesses two great merits rarely found in current discussions of human problems. Where most writers over-simplify, he insists on the principle of multiple and interlocking causation. And where most assume that “facts will speak for themselves,” he makes it clear that facts are mere ventriloquists’ dummies, and can be made to justify any course of action that appeals to the socially conditioned passions of the individuals concerned. These two truths are sufficiently obvious; but they are seldom recognized, for the good reason that they are very depressing. To recognize the first truth is to recognize the fact that there are no panaceas and that therefore most of the golden promises made by political reformers and revolutionaries are illusory. And to recognize the truth that facts do not speak for themselves, but only as man’s socially conditioned passions dictate, is to recognize that our current educational processes can do very little to ameliorate the state of the world. In the language of traditional theology (so much more realistic, in many respects, than the “liberal” philosophies which replaced it), most ignorance is voluntary and depends upon acts of the conscious or subconscious will. Thus, the fallacies underlying the propaganda of racial hatred are not recognized because, as Dr. Montagu points out, most people have a desire to act aggressively, and the members of other ethnic groups are convenient victims, whom one may attack with a good conscience. This desire to act aggressively has its origins in the largely unavoidable frustrations imposed upon the individual by the processes of early education and later adjustments to the social environment. Dr. Montagu might have added that aggressiveness pays a higher dividend in emotional satisfaction than does coöperation. Coöperation may produce a mild emotional glow; but the indulgence of aggressivness can be the equivalent of a drinking bout or sexual orgy. In our industrial societies, the goodness of life is measured in terms of the number and intensity of the excitements experienced. (Popular philosophy is moulded by, and finds expression in, the advertising pages of popular magazines. Significantly enough, the word that occurs more frequently in those pages than any other is “thrill.”) Like sex and alcohol, aggressiveness can give enormous thrills. Under existing social conditions, it is therefore easy to represent aggressiveness as good. Concerning the remedies for the social diseases he has so penetratingly diagnosed, Dr. Montagu says very little, except that they will have to consist in some process of education. But what process? It is to be hoped that he will answer this question at length in another work. ALDOUS HUXLEY

More books from Read Books Ltd.

Cover of the book Composition of Cheese and Practical Mistakes in Cheese-Making by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Samplers Selected and Described - With an Introduction by Leigh Ashton of the Victoria and Albert Museum by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Dark Horse - A Story of the Flying U by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Helen of Troy - Influential Women in History by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Hints to Huntsmen by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book When Kansas Was Young by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Rambling in Shropshire - A Collection of Historical Walking Guides and Rambling Experiences - Including Information on Clunbury, the Wyre Forest, Ludl by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book The Golden Hades by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Havana Manana - A Guide To Cuba And The Cubans by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book A Diary of the French Revolution by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Handbook Of Antique Chairs by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book The American Pit Bull Terrier (History of Fighting Dogs Series) by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Illustrating the Anatomy and Muscular System of the Horse - Containing Extracts from Livestock for the Farmer and Stock Owner by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book Moxon's Master by Ashley Montagu
Cover of the book The Border Terrier - A Complete Anthology of the Dog - by Ashley Montagu
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy