# Unchanging Human Nature explained — The Great Illusion

> Chapter companion for The Great Illusion by Norman Angell.

## What happens

Angell argues against the claim that human nature is unchangeable and that war is therefore inevitable. He points to historical transformations in human behavior, such as the abolition of the duel and the decline of religious persecution, as evidence that human nature is not fixed. He critiques militarist writers who lament their own nations' drift away from militancy, showing that such complaints are universal and thus self-defeating. The chapter concludes that the psychological impulse to war is diminishing, just as other violent impulses have been overcome.

## Themes in this chapter

### Changeability of Human Nature

Central theme: Angell argues that human nature is not fixed, citing historical changes in behavior such as the abolition of the duel and the decline of religious persecution.

### Critique of Militarism

Angell critiques militarist writers who lament the decline of military spirit, showing their complaints are universal and self-defeating.

### Role of Public Opinion

The chapter discusses how public opinion has shifted away from dueling and religious conflict, suggesting it can also shift away from war.

## Character check-ins

### Homer Lea

Cited as a militarist writer who laments the decline of military spirit in America, but whose complaints are similar to those in other nations.

### Robert Blatchford

Mentioned as a militarist socialist who criticizes the British people's apathy toward fighting, echoing similar complaints in other countries.

### Theodore Roosevelt

Quoted on the necessity of resenting insults to national honor, which Angell contrasts with the extinction of the duel.

### Lord Roberts

Used as an example of a modern military leader who does not engage in the barbaric practices of ancient warriors, illustrating change in human nature.

### Lord Kitchener

Similarly used to illustrate that modern military leaders do not commit atrocities, showing that human nature has changed.

### Herbert Spencer

Mentioned as a contrast to paleolithic man, representing the evolution of human nature.

## Key lines

> You cannot change human nature

The claim that human nature is immutable is contradicted by historical evidence of profound changes in behavior.

_Angell dismantles this catchphrase by pointing to the evolution from cannibalism to modern civilization._

> We despise a nation, just as we despise a man, who fails to resent an insult.

Roosevelt's justification for armaments is outdated because the duel, which this sentiment mirrors, has been abandoned in the Anglo-Saxon world.

_Angell uses the extinction of the duel to argue that national honor should not be defended by arms._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/iii-unchanging-human-nature
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_illusion_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters