Literary notes about incapacity (AI summary)
In literature, "incapacity" is a term that authors have used to spotlight various forms of human limitation—from a lack of intellectual synthesis or practical ability to moral and social shortcomings. For instance, in legal and psychological contexts, Hans Gross ([1]) and David Hume ([2], [3]) use "incapacity" to denote an inability to effectively synthesize ideas or pursue purpose, thereby critiquing both individual competence and broader societal failings. Meanwhile, in political and social commentary, figures like Thomas Jefferson ([4], [5]) and Mark Twain ([6], [7]) apply the term to highlight deficiencies in leadership or character, suggesting that such shortcomings can have dire consequences. Even in literary fiction and philosophical explorations—found in works by Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, and Nietzsche ([8], [9], [10], [11])—"incapacity" becomes a multifaceted symbol, representing not just literal ineptitude but also a profound inability to grasp beauty, truth, or emotional spontaneity. This varied deployment underscores its enduring power to critique and illuminate the human condition.
- Now there is no injustice, no superficiality in this observation; its object is simply parallel to their incapacity for synthesis.
— from Criminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and Students by Hans Gross - So dreadful are the ideas of an utter incapacity for any purpose or undertaking, and of continued error and misconduct in life!
— from An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume - Thus stifled ability in the lower orders, and apathy or pampered incapacity in the higher, unite to deprive society of its natural leaders.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - One who is actuated by this Spirit is almost under an Incapacity of discerning either real Blemishes or Beauties.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Jefferson thought Hull ought to be "shot for cowardice" and Van Rensselaer "broke for incapacity."
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - It was unaccountable that he didn’t attempt a little help of that sort out of his majestic supply of incapacity for the job.
— from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain - Then we took the other young noble in hand, and he was the first one’s twin, for ignorance and incapacity.
— from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain - "Through nature's unpredictability not man's incapacity.
— from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World by Jules Verne - I felt all that foolish incapacity an Englishman feels on such occasions.
— from The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories by H. G. Wells - Incapacity for leisure.
— from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche - (The incapacity for pride and the need of continual revenge for his deep-rooted self-contempt, this is almost the definition of this man's vanity.)
— from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche