“Men can be stimulated by hope or driven by fear, but the hope and fear must be vivid and immediate if they are to be effective without producing weariness.” (Russell 56)
This lecture focuses on the conflict of technique and human nature. By comparing ourselves to animals, he is able to explain how our nature is different from them. We live in a society that will only to continue to evolve. A factor to the evolution of societies comes from governments. In Lecture 2, Russell talks about how the role governments have built our societies. Some of these communities have been ruled by kings, presidents, or priests that have abused their power, governing in any way they wish. They are able to install hope or fear into those that they control because of their power. It is what enables a society to either flourish or collapse. In Lecture 4, this quote gives a look into how us humans behave the way we do. Our choice to form governments is only one of the many components of our human nature.
Katherine Laurencio
Very interesting quote. I believe it fits to the idea of what Russell wrote about in his lecture. There always has to be something motivating people and one of the most powerful forms of motivation is fear. Good point about the kings and presidents. It is important for powerful figures like the kings and presidents of the world to instill fear in the people in order for them to be taken seriously. However, the fear should not be blinding. If people live in fear, then they would be too afraid to get anything done. In order for it to be the most effective, there has to be a good balance.