Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan > Quotes

“Humans will strive to do whatever it takes to survive, including acts that appear immoral, such as pre-emptive violence. The human moral compass fluctuates in the course of existence, and good governance is the best means to limit the excesses of human nature.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“Human nature makes us perpetually dissatisfied with our present condition. We want to improve the most important thing in our lives: ourselves. Our very neurochemical composition makes us want to perfect ourselves.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“History is propelled by good governance paradigms that balance the ever-present tension between three human nature attributes (emotionality, amorality and egoism), and nine human dignity needs (reason, security, human rights, accountability, transparency, justice, opportunity, innovation and inclusiveness).”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“Most of us, most of the time, are neither innately moral, nor immoral, but amoral. Our moral compass will largely depend on our personal and political circumstances as well as our perceived emotional self-interest.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“For ideas to pass the test of time, they must account for the emotional, amoral and egoistic characteristics of human nature.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“To create the premises for peace and harmony, both domestically and internationally, it is important to account for the fragility in our nature and build accountable institutions that guarantee human dignity for all, at all times and under all circumstances.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“The neurochemistry of power has implications for political change. The sudden withdrawal of power, like the abrupt withdrawal from drugs, produces uncontrollable cravings. Therefore, those who possess power, especially absolute power, are highly unlikely to give it up willingly and without human and material loss.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“The understanding of human nature as a predisposed tabula rasa informs us that survival is the most fundamental human instinct coded in our genetics and that, when imperilled, it is likely to trump everything else.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“It is ironic and indeed counterintuitive that our own human nature has a huge potential to drive us towards physical and cognitive enhancements that may completely alter the characteristics of our species.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“The idea of cold, unbiased, ‘mathematical’ rationality, while long celebrated in many schools of philosophy, is not backed by neuroscience.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“We are entering a new era of multiple frontier risks, including runaway technologies and complex geopolitical crises. To remain on the front foot, the world requires symbiotic foresight in public policy and highly trained multidisciplinary thinkers who can connect the dots using frameworks such as Neuro-Techno-Philosophy.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“Without strict regulations, brain implants and other forms of human enhancement can lead us into a dystopian world. Brain implants may threaten our dignity and authenticity, and change what it means to be human.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“Strategic culture provides an analytical lens through which to better grasp the continuities underlying international crises and the motivations of states’ actions. It encompasses both the emotionality of states (national pride and prestige) and the egoism of states (the pursuit of national interests).”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“Symbiotic Realism argues that state interests must be accommodated within frameworks of cooperation that balance between power-maximisation and the reality of a complex global system.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“The prefrontal cortex, which hosts the ‘logical’ part of the brain, comes second in the process of reading the news. We are vulnerable to manipulation by those who appeal to our emotions with the intent to pursue their own agendas.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“When left unchecked, the egoistic character of human nature will entail a relentless search for the consolidation of power.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan