Instinct

by Lester del Rey

A short story by Lester del Rey

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

16 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1952

About the author

Lester del Rey was an American science fiction author and editor. Del Rey is especially famous for his juvenile novels such as those which are part of the Winston Science Fiction series, and for Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science fiction branch of Ballantine Books edited by Lester del Rey and his fourth wife Judy-Lynn del Rey.

Also published as:
Philip St. John
Eric van Lihn
Erik van Lhin
Kenneth Wright
Edson McCann (with Frederik Pohl)

Reviews

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story plays cat and mouse with evolution.

The setup: humanity attempts a grand social experiment, redesigning society for maximum efficiency, rationality, and stability.

But evolution, being the chaotic gremlin it is, rebels through instinct.

There’s satire simmering under the surface. The story critiques the fantasy of controlling human nature through policy or engineering.

The author argues humans are still animals—dreaming animals, anxious animals—and any attempt to overwrite instinct leads to collapse.

One of the best sci-fi stories you’ll ever read. Most recommended. Give it a go.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh is THAT what the title means!

Read in Silverberg's Men and Machines: Science Fiction Stories by Fred Saberhagan, Jack Williamson, Fritz Leiber, and More!.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in the January 1952 issue of
Astounding Science Fiction magazine.

3.8 stars