--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No organism can afford to be conscious of…" description: "\"No organism can afford to be conscious of matters with which it could deal at unconscious levels. Broadly, we can afford to sink those sorts of knowled..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c92/gregory-bateson-7135_behavior_no-organism-can-afford-to-be-conscious-o_339945.png" --- # No organism can afford to be conscious of matters with… ![“No organism can afford to be conscious of matters with which it could deal at unconscious levels. Broadly, we can afford to sink those sorts of knowledge which continue to be true regardless of changes in the environment, but we must maintain in an accessible place all those controls of behavior…” quote by Gregory Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c92/gregory-bateson-7135_behavior_no-organism-can-afford-to-be-conscious-o_339945.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c92/gregory-bateson-7135_behavior_no-organism-can-afford-to-be-conscious-o_339945.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c92/gregory-bateson-7135_behavior_no-organism-can-afford-to-be-conscious-o_339945.png) > “No organism can afford to be conscious of matters with which it could deal at unconscious levels. Broadly, we can afford to sink those sorts of knowledge which continue to be true regardless of changes in the environment, but we must maintain in an accessible place all those controls of behavior which must be modified for every instance. The economics of the system, in fact, pushes organisms toward sinking into the unconscious those generalities of relationship which remain permanently true and toward keeping within the conscious the pragmatic of particular instances.” [Gregory Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-bateson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Organisms push stable knowledge to unconscious, keeping only instance‑specific controls conscious. **In simple terms:** Stable knowledge goes unconscious; specific actions stay conscious. Key Takeaway Focus on adaptable actions, let general truths be automatic. Themes cognition adaptation consciousness Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - learning new skills - making decisions under stress - adapting to market changes Key Concepts ecology systems theory behavioral control Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide which knowledge stays conscious? - When might an unconscious habit hinder flexibility? A Different Perspective Unconscious storage can lead to rigidity if not periodically reviewed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Being true](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-true/) [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious/) [Conscious Matters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious-matters-3162423/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Generalities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generalities/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Keeping Conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeping-conscious-933686/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Organism Afford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organism-afford-3162424/) [Organisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organisms/) [Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Pragmatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatic/) [Sinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinking/) [Unconscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconscious/) [Unconscious Generalities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconscious-generalities-3162422/) ## Related quotes > [You ever go up to the tee and say, 'Don't hit it left, don't hit it right'? 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We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! 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