Brain Quote by Dave Hickey
“In my experience, you always think you know what you're doing; you always think you can explain, but you always discover, years later, that you didn't and you couldn't. This leads me to suspect that the principal function of human reason is to rationalize what your lizard brain demands of you. That's my idea.”
About This Quote
Human reason often justifies instinctual urges rather than truly understanding actions.
In simple terms: We rationalize our gut impulses.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions.
Themes
reasoning
instinct
self‑deception
Mood
skeptical
introspective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- making decisions
- self‑reflection
- learning from mistakes
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
psychology
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What recent belief did you later realize was rationalized?
- How can you differentiate instinct from reason?
A Different Perspective
Rationalizations can reinforce false confidence.
![“Nothing, not even the best and noblest, can go on as it now is. Nothing, not even what is lowest and most bestial, will not be raised again if it submits to death. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Flesh and blood cannot come to the Mountains [heaven]. Not because they are…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba6/anonymous-1_arise_nothing-not-even-the-best-and-noblest-ca_27244.jpg)
