mechanistic-human-nature

The idea that humans function like machines or robots, influenced by biological and chemical factors, as illustrated by Vonnegut's observations of syphilitics and goiters.

2 chapters across 1 book

Breakfast of Champions (1973)Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Preamble

The chapter serves as a preamble and dedication by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., reflecting on his personal history, influences, and the philosophical underpinnings of the novel. Vonnegut discusses the mechanistic view of humans influenced by disease and chemistry, his relationship with Phoebe Hurty who shaped his impolite style, and his intention to clear his mind of cultural and ideological clutter. He also contrasts the sacredness of Armistice Day with the secularization of Veterans' Day, emphasizing the loss of reverence in modern times.

Chapter 23 > 4 Dwayne Hoover read on: “You are surrounded by lov- ing machines, hating machines, greedy machines, un- selfish machines, brave machines, cowardly machines, truthful machines, lying machines, funny machines, sol- emn machines,” he read. “Their only purpose is to stir you up in every conceivable way, so the Creator of the Uni- verse can watch your reactions. They can no more feel or reason than grandfather clocks. “The Creator of the Universe would now like to apolo- gize not only for the capricious, jostling companionship he provided during the test, but for the trashy, stinking con- dition of the planet itself. The Creator programmed ro- bots to abuse it for millions of years, so it would be a poisonous, festering cheese when you got here. Also, He made sure it would be desperately crowded by program- ming robots, regardless of their living conditions, to crave 254

In this chapter, Dwayne Hoover reads a book describing humans as various types of machines programmed by the Creator of the Universe to provoke reactions, highlighting the deterministic and mechanistic view of human behavior. As Dwayne internalizes this, he embarks on a violent rampage, attacking several people including his son and others he perceives as unfeeling machines, culminating in his arrest. The chapter explores the interplay between free will and programming, and the dehumanizing effects of viewing people as mere automatons.