--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The self-conscious feedback mechanism of…" description: "\"“The self-conscious feedback mechanism of the cortex allows us the hallucination that we are two souls in one body -a rational soul and an animal soul,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d82/alan-watts-587_philosophy_the-self-conscious-feedback-mechanism-of_2303.jpg" --- # The self-conscious feedback mechanism of the cortex allows… ![“The self-conscious feedback mechanism of the cortex allows us the hallucination that we are two souls in one body -a rational soul and an animal soul, a rider and a horse, a good guy with better instincts and finer feelings and a rascal with rapacious lusts and untruly passions. Hence the…” quote by Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d82/alan-watts-587_philosophy_the-self-conscious-feedback-mechanism-of_2303.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d82/alan-watts-587_philosophy_the-self-conscious-feedback-mechanism-of_2303.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d82/alan-watts-587_philosophy_the-self-conscious-feedback-mechanism-of_2303.jpg) > ““The self-conscious feedback mechanism of the cortex allows us the hallucination that we are two souls in one body -a rational soul and an animal soul, a rider and a horse, a good guy with better instincts and finer feelings and a rascal with rapacious lusts and untruly passions. Hence the marvelously involved hypocrisies of guilt and penitence, and the frightful cruelties of punishment, warfare, and even self-torment in the name of taking the side of the good soul against the evil. The more it sides with itself, the more the good soul reveals its inseparable shadow, and the more it disowns its shadow, the more it becomes it.”” [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human consciousness splits into rational and instinctual selves, creating internal conflict that fuels moral judgments and self‑punishment. **In simple terms:** Duality of mind creates moral tension. Key Takeaway Self‑conflict drives guilt and virtue. Themes psychology philosophy morality self‑knowledge inner conflict Mood introspective critical enigmatic Type philosophical explanatory When to use this quote - therapy sessions - ethical debates - self‑reflection journaling - religious confession - creative storytelling Key Concepts dualism self‑awareness hypocrisy Practical Applications - psychology curricula - self‑help workshops Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing your 'shadow' alter behavior? - Can embracing both sides reduce internal hypocrisy? A Different Perspective Some argue the mind is unified rather than split, reducing moral ambiguity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-guy/) [Good Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-soul/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Two souls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-souls/) ## Related quotes > [Look In The Book And You Will Find All My Quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ms-freshie/look-in-the-book-and-you-will-find-all-my-quotes/) Ms\_Freshie > [“A book--the book that was, for some reason, THE book--can be reread, unchanged. Only we have changed. 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