"It is said that those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad. It may well be that a war neurosis stirred up by propaganda of fear and hatred is the prelude to destruction"
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The quote by John Boyd Orr reflects on the principle that a psychological or psychological breakdown typically precedes damage, especially in the context of war and dispute. This concept is encapsulated in the expression "those whom the gods want to destroy they initially make mad". The madness described can be comprehended as a loss of rationality, clarity, and balance, often induced by frustrating feelings such as fear and hatred.
Orr recommends that when societies are affected by propaganda that exacerbates fear and hatred, it produces a sort of collective neurosis. This war neurosis, or the mental chaos experienced as an outcome of relentless propaganda, controls the general public consciousness into a state of increased anxiety and aggressiveness. Propaganda ends up being a tool by which unreasonable worries are stoked and dehumanizing stories are propagated, developing an us-versus-them mindset that can validate dispute and violence.
The reference to insanity shows the breakdown of factor and the vulnerability of individuals to adjustment when they are emotionally destabilized. It's a cautioning about the capacity for harmful habits when vital thinking is overshadowed by emotion-driven perceptions. Additionally, the idea that this is a start to damage indicates that such mental states can set the phase for devastating occasions, such as wars or genocides, as societies become taken in by their fears and hatreds.
Orr's quote functions as a cautionary insight into how mental control can be used to additional devastating goals and highlights the importance of keeping reasonable discourse and emotional stability, particularly in times of intensifying stress. It suggests that fostering understanding, empathy, and crucial thinking can serve as safeguards against the descent into insanity and the subsequent cycle of destruction. This reflection invites individuals to stay watchful versus the forces that look for to weaken peace by sowing the seeds of division and dispute through psychological warfare.
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