Skip to content

Brain Quote by Aldous Huxley

“Each person is at each moment capable of remembering all that has ever happened to him and of perceiving everything that is happening everywhere in the universe. The function of the brain and nervous system is to protect us from being overwhelmed and confused by this mass of largely useless and…” quote by Aldous Huxley
Download Open image
““Each person is at each moment capable of remembering all that has ever happened to him and of perceiving everything that is happening everywhere in the universe. The function of the brain and nervous system is to protect us from being overwhelmed and confused by this mass of largely useless and irrelevant knowledge, by shutting out most of what we should otherwise perceive or remember at any moment, and leaving only that very small and special selection which is likely to be practically useful. According to such a theory, each one of us is potentially Mind at Large.””

Aldous Huxley

About This Quote

Source Book: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1932

The brain filters out most sensory input to prevent overload, leaving only useful information; this suggests our minds can access a vast, latent knowledge.

In simple terms: The brain blocks excess data, revealing hidden potential.

Key Takeaway

Recognize that you can tap deeper insight when you quiet mental clutter.

Themes

cognition perception mind knowledge filtering

Mood

reflective thoughtful introspective

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

  • Meditation
  • creative problem solving
  • learning
  • research
  • introspection

Key Concepts

Neuroscience philosophy potential information overload

Questions to Reflect On

  • How might you deliberately reduce filtering to enhance insight?
  • What risks arise from accessing too much information?
A Different Perspective

The brain’s filtering may also limit creativity by discarding novel connections.

2.3 out of 5 (4 ratings)

More by Aldous Huxley

Explore all 1,291 Aldous Huxley quotes

More Brain quotes

Browse all 8,465 Brain quotes