I used to very politely say that if there is free will then it's in all sorts of boring places, like whether you're going to pick up this or that fork as you begin your meal. There really is none: It's all biology.
Robert SapolskyRead
When you're being asked to think about the meaning of your intuitions before you act on them, maybe along the way you decide your intuitions are destructive or make no sense at all. And then you don't act on them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of reflecting on one's instincts before taking action, suggesting that some intuitions may not be beneficial.
In this quote, Robert Sapolsky highlights the significance of self-reflection in decision-making. He suggests that when we are prompted to evaluate our intuitions, we may discover that some are indeed harmful or irrational, leading us to choose not to act on them. This reflection allows for more conscious choices rather than impulsive reactions based on instinct, promoting a deeper understanding of our motivations and potential consequences.
Themes
IntuitionReflectionDecision-MakingSelf-AwarenessConscious Choices
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about making thoughtful decisions.
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I expected social rank to be the determining factor in health, and in some ways that's true. But far more important is what sort of society that rank occurs in. Being low ranking in a benevolent troop is a hell of a lot better for your blood pressure than being low ranking in an aggressive troop.
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