"If there were a clear prospect that such evils were part of a barbarian past, then at least we might find a small crumb of comfort. No such prospect exists: no scientific analysis can even remotely answer or account for past and present horrors of human behaviour"

Simon Conway Morris's quote looks into the enduring and bewildering nature of human behavior, especially its darker aspects. He suggests that humankind has long grappled with evils that seem to transcend time, from historical atrocities to modern acts of violence and cruelty. Morris presumes that the possibility of these evils being confined to a "barbarian past" could use some solace or comfort. Simply put, if such negative behaviors were simply relics of an undeveloped, less civilized period, one might hope that human development and knowledge might eventually remove them.

However, Morris dismisses this reassuring idea, indicating that no such prospect-- of these evils being securely locked away in history-- exists. Regardless of developments in human understanding, culture, and ethics, these habits persist, recommending they are not simply vestiges of a less civilized time but rather intrinsic elements of human nature. The lack of a clear scientific description for these "past and present scaries" indicate the restrictions of science in resolving the intricacies of humanity and morality. While science provides tools to comprehend the real world and has actually made significant strides in dissecting the brain's working and human genetics, it falls short in offering detailed explanations for why people and societies engage in acts of ruthlessness or violence.

This quote motivates reflection on the ethical dimensions and psychological foundations of habits. Morris highlights the necessity for interdisciplinary techniques-- blending science with approach, psychology, sociology, and the liberal arts-- to completely understand the nature of human evils. By acknowledging the limits of scientific analysis, Morris welcomes a broader conversation on the ethical and existential aspects of mankind's darker side, emphasizing the requirement for continued exploration and understanding in this complex arena.