In his book "Where My Heart Used to Beat," Sebastian Faulks reflects on humanity's capacity for violence, suggesting that historical events like Flanders and Auschwitz reveal a darker side of human nature. He implies that when given the means to kill, humans can exhibit brutality that places them lower than other species in moral regard. This perspective challenges the notion of humanity as the highest form of life, instead highlighting the capacity for cruelty that exists within the human spirit.

Faulks' observations compel readers to reconsider the implications of human behavior throughout history. The quote emphasizes that, despite our advanced abilities and achievements, mankind can sometimes regress to violent instincts, revealing an unsettling truth about our potential for inhumanity. Such reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of understanding and confronting our darker impulses to evolve as a species.