The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races: With Particular Reference to Their Respective Influence in the Civil and Political History of Mankind — John Shaqi
The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races: With Particular Reference to Their Respective Influence in the Civil and Political History of MankindGobineau, Arthur, comte de
Philosophy
The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races: With Particular Reference to Their Respective Influence in the Civil and Political History of Mankind
BLACK RACES, OR YELLOW RACES, OR WHITE RACES, OR
ATLANTIDÆ.[29] MONGOLIDÆ.[29] JAPETIDÆ.[29]
INTELLECT Feeble Mediocre Vigorous.
ANIMAL }
PROPENSITIES } Very strong Moderate Strong.
MORAL } Partially Comparatively Highly
MANIFESTATIONS } latent developed cultivated.
But the races comprised in each group vary among themselves, if not with
regard to the relative proportion in which they possess the elements of
civilization, at least in their intensity. The following formulas will,
I think, apply to the majority of cases, and, at the same time, bring
out my idea in a clearer light:--
If the animal propensities are strongly developed, and not tempered by
the intellectual faculties, the moral conceptions must be exceedingly
low, because they necessarily depend on the clearness, refinement, and
comprehensiveness of the ideas derived from the material world through
the senses. The religious cravings will, therefore, be contented with a
gross worship of material objects, and the moral sense degenerate into
a grovelling superstition. The utmost elevation which a population, so
constituted, can reach, will be an unconscious impersonation of the good
aspirations and the evil tendencies of their nature under the form of a
good and an evil spirit, to the latter of which absurd and often bloody
homage is paid. Government there can be no other than the right which
force gives to the strong, and its forms will be slavery among
themselves, and submissiveness of all to a tyrannical absolutism.
When the same animal propensities are combined with intellect of a
higher order, the moral faculties have more room for action. The
penetration of intellect will not be long in discovering that the
gratification of physical desires is easiest and safest in a state of
order and stability. Hence a more complex system of legislation both
social and political. The conceptions of the Deity will be more elevated
and refined, though the idea of a future state will probably be
connected with visions of material enjoyment, as in the paradise of the
Mohammedans.
Where the animal propensities are weak and the intellect feeble, a
vegetating national life results. No political organization, or of the
very simplest kind. Few laws, for what need of restraining passions
which do not exist. The moral sense content with the vague recognition
of a superior being, to whom few or no rites are rendered.
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