“The human instinct for self-preservation is strong. I know, because mine pulls at me, too, like the needle on a compass. And everybody - I've been reading some philosophy - everybody seems to agree that the instinct and responsibility of all humans is to take care of themselves first. You have the right to self-defense. You have the right to survive, if you can.”
Analysis
In this quote from Nancy Werlin's novel, the speaker reflects on the innate drive of humans to prioritize their own self-preservation. The metaphor of a needle on a compass conveys the strong, instinctual pull one feels towards ensuring their own survival. The speaker also alludes to reading philosophy and finding consensus among thinkers that individuals have a duty to take care of themselves first. This assertion is backed by the belief in the right to self-defense and the right to survive. Werlin's words highlight the universal nature of the human instinct for self-preservation and the moral obligation individuals feel to prioritize their own well-being.
The Importance of Self-Preservation in Modern Society
In today's fast-paced and often unpredictable world, the concept of self-preservation remains as relevant as ever. Just as Nancy Werlin writes in her quote, the instinct for self-preservation is a fundamental part of human nature. In a society where individuals are constantly faced with challenges and threats to their well-being, it is essential to prioritize one's own safety and survival. Self-defense, both physically and emotionally, is not only a right but a responsibility that all individuals must uphold. By recognizing and honoring this instinct, individuals can better protect themselves and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Quote from Nancy Werlin
"The human instinct for self-preservation is strong. I know, because mine pulls at me, too, like the needle on a compass. And everybody - I've been reading some philosophy - everybody seems to agree that the instinct and responsibility of all humans is to take care of themselves first. You have the right to self-defense. You have the right to survive if you can."
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on this quote by Nancy Werlin, consider the following questions:
- Do you agree with the idea that the instinct for self-preservation is strong in humans? Why or why not?
- How do you balance the instinct for self-preservation with the responsibility to take care of others and contribute to society?
- In what ways do you think self-defense and survival instincts can potentially conflict with ethics or morality?
- How do societal or cultural norms influence the way individuals prioritize self-preservation?
- How can empathy and compassion towards others be incorporated into the instinct for self-preservation?
Similar quotes
“The state has gradually annexed all the responsibilities of adulthood - health care, child care, care of the elderly - to the point where it's effectively severed its citizens from humanity's primal instincts, not the least the survival instinct...They corrode the citizen's sense of self-reliance to a potentially fatal degree.”
“Sometimes instinct can be wrong. But sometimes it can be right too. And sometimes you just have to take it on faith.”
“Self-defense is an act that implies you have something valuable to defend. After the instinct, you begin to wonder. What, specifically, was I aiming to save? What, beyond instinct, makes life worth saving?”
“The instinct to survive is human nature itself, and every aspect of our personalities derives from it. Anything that conflicts with the survival instinct acts sooner or later to eliminate the individual and thereby fails to show up in future generations. . . . A scientifically verifiable theory of morals must be rooted in the individual's instinct to survive--and nowhere else!--and must correctly describe the hierarchy of survival, note the motivations at each level, and resolve all conflicts.We have such a theory now; we can solve any moral problem, on any level. Self-interest, love of family, duty to country, responsibility toward the human race . . . .The basis of all morality is duty, a concept with the same relation to group that self-interest has to individual.”
“I've learned something: What many of us cal destiny is really our own instinct. We know what is right, but we don'twant to admit it, especially if what is right will lead to our own death. We call it destiny so we don't have to accept responsibility for making those decisions. Human instinct is stronger than anyone will admit.”