The tragedy of a species becoming unfit for life by over-evolving one ability is not confined to humankind. Thus it is thought, for instance, that certain deer in paleontological times succumbed as they acquired overly-heavy horns. The mutations must be considered blind, they work, are thrown forth, without any contact of interest with their environment. In depressive states, the mind may be seen in the image of such an antler, in all its fantastic splendour pinning its bearer to the ground.
Interpretation
The quote illustrates the danger of excessive specialization, suggesting that developing one trait can lead to detrimental consequences.
Peter Wessel Zapffe's quote points to the concept that an organism can become unfit for survival by over-emphasizing one particular trait, as seen in certain deer that grew excessively heavy horns. This analogy extends to human thought processes, where an obsessive focus on certain ideas can weigh down the mind, paralleling the way heavy antlers may hinder a deer. The underlying message is a cautionary reminder about the potential perils of narrow specialization and the importance of balance in development.
In practice
In a discussion on the risks of specialization in modern careers, this quote can highlight the importance of maintaining diverse skills.
Man beholds the earth, and it is breathing like a great lung; whenever it exhales, delightful life swarms from all its pores and reaches out toward the sun, but when it inhales, a moan of rupture passes through the multitude, and corpses whip the ground like bouts of hail.
When a human being takes his life in depression, this is a natural death of spiritual causes. The modern barbarity of 'saving' the suicidal is based on a hair-raising misapprehension of the nature of existence.
As long as humankind recklessly proceeds in the fateful delusion of being biologically fated for triumph, nothing essential will change.
The seed of a metaphysical or religious defeat is in us all. For the honest questioner, however, who doesn't seek refuge in some faith or fantasy, there will never be an answer.
A coin is turned around before it is handed to the beggar, yet a child is unflinchingly tossed into cosmic bruteness.
God destines us for an end beyond the grasp of reason.
The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact.
Since I have introduced this term I had always a bad conscience. . . . I cannot help to feel it strongly and I am unable to believe that such an ugly thing should be realized in nature.
Grant that we may be one flock and one shepherd.
While crime is punished it yet increases.
I know ours is a world made by men for men, their dictatorship is so ancient it even extends to language.
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