--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is absolutely correct and forms part…" description: "\"This is absolutely correct and forms part of the larger concept that top-down causation is a key factor not just in the way the brain works but in broa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07e/george-f-r-ellis-44847_biology_this-is-absolutely-correct-and-forms-par_1770345.jpg" --- # This is absolutely correct and forms part of the larger… ![“This is absolutely correct and forms part of the larger concept that top-down causation is a key factor not just in the way the brain works but in broader contexts in biology and even physics.” quote by George F. R. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07e/george-f-r-ellis-44847_biology_this-is-absolutely-correct-and-forms-par_1770345.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07e/george-f-r-ellis-44847_biology_this-is-absolutely-correct-and-forms-par_1770345.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07e/george-f-r-ellis-44847_biology_this-is-absolutely-correct-and-forms-par_1770345.jpg) > “This is absolutely correct and forms part of the larger concept that top-down causation is a key factor not just in the way the brain works but in broader contexts in biology and even physics.” [George F. R. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-f-r-ellis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Top‑down causation suggests higher‑level structures can influence lower‑level processes, linking brain function to broader biological and physical systems. **In simple terms:** Higher levels can shape lower ones. Key Takeaway Recognize the impact of systemic influences. Themes science philosophy causation Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type theoretical practical When to use this quote - policy making - organizational design - health interventions Key Concepts systems theory neuroscience physics Questions to Reflect On - What are examples of top‑down causation in daily life? - How can we balance bottom‑up and top‑down approaches? A Different Perspective Complex systems may resist simple top‑down control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Causation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causation/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) ## Related quotes > [“Whether you belive you can or whether you believe you can't, you're absolutely correct!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-bailey/whether-you-belive-you-can-or-whether-you-believe-you-can-t-you-re/) Lynda Bailey > [Whether you say you can, or whether you say you can't, your ABSOLUTELY CORRECT !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/whether-you-say-you-can-or-whether-you-say-you-can-t-your-absolutely/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [In my opinion the Open variation is absolutely correct - and more interesting than the Closed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bent-larsen/in-my-opinion-the-open-variation-is-absolutely-correct-and-more/) [Bent Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bent-larsen/) > [It seems to me, most things that are politically incorrect are nonpolitically absolutely correct!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-fowler/it-seems-to-me-most-things-that-are-politically-incorrect-are/) [Steve Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-fowler/) > [“Of course, he was absolutely correct, it was no concern of mine. So naturally I thought about it--excessively.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-raybourn/of-course-he-was-absolutely-correct-it-was-no-concern-of-mine-so/) [Deanna Raybourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-raybourn/) > [I think it is absolutely correct to solve the problem of terrorism in Iraq and Syria and Libya.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matteo-renzi/i-think-it-is-absolutely-correct-to-solve-the-problem-of-terrorism-in/) [Matteo Renzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matteo-renzi/) > [Even though we don't know squat about how the brain works, the little we do know suggests that if you wanted to design a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-medina/even-though-we-don-t-know-squat-about-how-the-brain-works-the-little/) [John Medina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-medina/) > [Brains aren't designed to get results; they go in directions. If you know how the brain works you can set your own directions. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bandler/brains-aren-t-designed-to-get-results-they-go-in-directions-if-you/) [Richard Bandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bandler/) > [I'm a simple country neuroscientist, not an expert on democracy, but I do know something about how the brain works and how opinion-reinforcing bubbles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-levitin/i-m-a-simple-country-neuroscientist-not-an-expert-on-democracy-but-i/) [Daniel Levitin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-levitin/) > [“That’s just how my brain works: words of wisdom are produced at random intervals, and always in times of great despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annabel-den-dekker/that-s-just-how-my-brain-works-words-of-wisdom-are-produced-at-random/) Annabel den Dekker > [Moore's Law-based technology is so much easier than neuroscience. 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Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-f-r-ellis/) > [If we analyse the supernova data by assuming the Copernican principle is correct and get out something unphysical, I think we should start questioning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-f-r-ellis/if-we-analyse-the-supernova-data-by-assuming-the-copernican-principle/) [George F. R. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-f-r-ellis/) > [The way in which science and religion by and large complement each other is becoming ever clearer, as are the natures of the various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-f-r-ellis/the-way-in-which-science-and-religion-by-and-large-complement-each/) [George F. R. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-f-r-ellis/) [Explore all 9 George F. R. Ellis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-f-r-ellis/) ## More Biology quotes > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [“Genetics is a science full of gods, Mr. Sanchez.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valeria-luiselli/genetics-is-a-science-full-of-gods-mr-sanchez/) [Valeria Luiselli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valeria-luiselli/) > [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. 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