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Ninety percent of our lives is governed by emotion. Our…

“Ninety percent of our lives is governed by emotion. Our brains merely register and act upon what is telegraphed to them by our bodily experience. Intellect is to emotion as our clothes are to our bodies; we could not very well have civilized life without clothes, but we would be in a poor way if…” quote by Alfred North Whitehead
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“Ninety percent of our lives is governed by emotion. Our brains merely register and act upon what is telegraphed to them by our bodily experience. Intellect is to emotion as our clothes are to our bodies; we could not very well have civilized life without clothes, but we would be in a poor way if we had only clothes without bodies.”

Alfred North Whitehead

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Emotion governs most of life; intellect is like clothing—necessary but insufficient without bodily experience.

In simple terms: Emotion dominates; intellect is a supporting layer.

Key Takeaway

Balance feeling with rational thought.

Themes

emotion intellect embodiment philosophy human nature

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • decision making
  • stress management
  • creative work

Key Concepts

cognitive science psychology metaphysics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we integrate feeling into rational decisions?
  • What practices nurture embodied awareness?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on intellect can detach from lived experience.

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