“Human nature consists of knobs and of mechanisms for tuning the knobs, and both are invisible in their own way.” — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“Altruism, compassion, empathy, love, conscience, the sense of justice—all of these things, the things that hold society together, the things that allow… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“The idea is that human culture as broadly defined--art, politics, technology, religion, and so on--evolves in much the way biological species evolve:… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
Your brain may give birth to any technology, but other brains will decide whether the technology thrives. The number of possible technologies is infinite,… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" asked the Christian theologian Tertullian... Having received the revealed thruth via Christ, "we want no curious disputation."… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“A female in a high-MPI species may seek signs of generosity, trustworthiness, and, especially, an enduring commitment to her in particular.” — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“And don’t feel like you’re committing a felony-level violation of Buddhist dogma just because you think of yourself as being a self.” — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“The keen sensitivity with which people detect the flaws of their rivals is one of nature's wonders. It takes a Herculean effort to control… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“realizing you’re not king can be the first step toward getting some real power.” — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“happiness comes down to choosing between the discomfort of becoming aware of your mental afflictions and the discomfort of being ruled by them.” — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“They will, on the one hand, have sex with just about anything that moves, given an easy chance, like males in a low-MPI species.… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
Like a lawyer, the human brain wants victory, not truth; and, like a lawyer, it is sometimes more admirable for skill than virtue. — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“It may seem seem cynical to see all religion as basically self-serving, and indeed the idea has been put pithily by a famous cynic.… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
“Brewer said the basic idea is to not fight the urge to, say, smoke a cigarette. That doesn’t mean you succumb to the urge… — Robert Wright Copy Share Image
