Brave New World Science Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Part.Paragraph)

Quote #34

"Call it the fault of civilization. God isn't compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness. You must make your choice. Our civilization has chosen machinery and medicine and happiness. That's why I have to keep these books locked up in the safe." (17.28)

Mustapha says God is incompatible with sciencebut why? He himself is a scientist and says that he believes in God. It's likely that he means man's conception of God, not God himself. According to Mustapha, man can't believe in God and be happy, perhaps because the implications are too weighty. (Implications like divine justice, judgment, morality.)

Quote #35

"Violent Passion Surrogate. Regularly once a month. We flood the whole system with adrenin. It's the complete physiological equivalent of fear and rage. All the tonic effects of murdering Desdemona and being murdered by Othello, without any of the inconveniences." (17.59)

With all its capabilities, science still has to cater to basic human nature. The need for V.P.S. is proof that the World State has severely impaired the human experience. To make up for what the Controllers have taken away from man, simulations are needed. Essentially, the body is being tricked into thinking it is still human.

Quote #36

Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east.… (18.108)

The ending of Brave New World brings us back to the beginning— we get a harsh picture of the horrifying precision of science.