Answers Quote by David Eagleman
“When one part of the brain makes a choice, other parts can quickly invent a story to explain why. If you show the command "Walk" to the right hemisphere (the one without language), the patient will get up and start walking. If you stop him and ask why he's leaving, his left hemisphere, cooking up an answer, will say something like "I was going to get a drink of water."”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Brain: The Story of You, 2015
Different brain regions create narratives to justify actions, often after the decision is made.
In simple terms: The brain invents reasons after acting.
Key Takeaway
Question your automatic justifications.
Themes
cognition
neuroscience
self-awareness
bias
Mood
curious
thoughtful
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- making decisions
- explaining behavior
- self-reflection
Key Concepts
post-hoc rationalization
dual-process theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we rationalize choices?
- How can we recognize false narratives?
A Different Perspective
Your brain may mislead you with plausible but false reasons.
