--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it is the case that we are merely…" description: "\"“If it is the case that we are merely slaves to the natural processes computing our advanced fight and flight responses, then we are never truly thinki..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/lewis-n-roe-21462_atheism_if-it-is-the-case-that-we-are-merely-sla_2709938.jpg" --- # If it is the case that we are merely slaves to the natural… ![“If it is the case that we are merely slaves to the natural processes computing our advanced fight and flight responses, then we are never truly thinking, which means that logic and reason - the things we hold so dear - do not exist either.” quote by Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/lewis-n-roe-21462_atheism_if-it-is-the-case-that-we-are-merely-sla_2709938.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/lewis-n-roe-21462_atheism_if-it-is-the-case-that-we-are-merely-sla_2709938.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d88/lewis-n-roe-21462_atheism_if-it-is-the-case-that-we-are-merely-sla_2709938.jpg) > ““If it is the case that we are merely slaves to the natural processes computing our advanced fight and flight responses, then we are never truly thinking, which means that logic and reason - the things we hold so dear - do not exist either.”” [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If humans are driven by instinctual fight‑or‑flight, then pure logical reasoning may be an illusion, questioning the existence of objective reason. **In simple terms:** Instinct may dominate over pure logic. Key Takeaway Question the basis of rational thought. Themes philosophy psychology human nature Mood skeptical thoughtful Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - decision making - ethical debates - creative problem solving - stress response Key Concepts cognitive bias neuroscience determinism Questions to Reflect On - Can you identify moments when instinct overrode logic? - How might you cultivate reflective thinking? A Different Perspective Even if instincts dominate, rational tools can still guide behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Naturalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/naturalism/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [What truly is logic? Who decides reason? It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reason can be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-nash/what-truly-is-logic-who-decides-reason-it-is-only-in-the-mysterious/) [John Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-nash/) > [It is better to have been, then not to have been, then to have been nothing at all." What truly is logic? Who decides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-nash/it-is-better-to-have-been-then-not-to-have-been-then-to-have-been-2/) [John Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-nash/) > [“I’ve always believed that truth is found by using logic and reason to sort through the facts and eliminate the contradictions. I guess the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-huff/i-ve-always-believed-that-truth-is-found-by-using-logic-and-reason-to/) [Roy Huff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-huff/) > [There's nothing more annoying than cold logic and reason when you've got a good fit going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/there-s-nothing-more-annoying-than-cold-logic-and-reason-when-you-ve/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Many aspects of life cannot be explained through logic or reason. The reasoning part of the mind simply doesn't have the capacity to understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/many-aspects-of-life-cannot-be-explained-through-logic-or-reason-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Logic, reason, and common sense are your best tools for synthesizing reality and understanding what to do about it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/logic-reason-and-common-sense-are-your-best-tools-for-synthesizing/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [Logic and reason go out the window when love gets involved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/logic-and-reason-go-out-the-window-when-love-gets-involved/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For once, you're going to hear something that doesn't fit into your neat, compartmentalized world of order and logic and reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/for-once-you-re-going-to-hear-something-that-doesn-t-fit-into-your/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“It is better to have been, then not to have been, then to have been nothing at all." What truly is logic? Who decides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-nash/it-is-better-to-have-been-then-not-to-have-been-then-to-have-been/) [JOHN NASH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-nash/) > [“...and I need to hear that there are situations where logic and reason don't apply, that sometimes an ugly action is a necessary one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-bowman/and-i-need-to-hear-that-there-are-situations-where-logic-and-reason/) [Erin Bowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-bowman/) > [“Doctrines which can stand the trial of logic and reason can do without persecuting skeptics.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/doctrines-which-can-stand-the-trial-of-logic-and-reason-can-do/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [“Naturalistic atheism debunks itself. It has no power to explain even some of the most basic principles of the universe and existence. It cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/naturalistic-atheism-debunks-itself-it-has-no-power-to-explain-even/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“If you are to suppose that natural reasons are the cause of everything, then it can only lead to the conclusion that consciousness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/if-you-are-to-suppose-that-natural-reasons-are-the-cause-of/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“What makes today’s popular atheism so depressing is neither its conceptual boorishness nor its self-righteousness but simply its cultural inevitability. It is the final,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bentley-hart/what-makes-today-s-popular-atheism-so-depressing-is-neither-its/) [David Bentley Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bentley-hart/) > [“An atheist is someone who is disappointed in his search of god. He is a man who strongly needed god but couldn't find him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/an-atheist-is-someone-who-is-disappointed-in-his-search-of-god-he-is/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) ## More by Lewis N. Roe > [“As far back as history records people thinking, thinking people have been befuddled by the mysteries of life and existence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/as-far-back-as-history-records-people-thinking-thinking-people-have/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“God's being good does not somehow magically make all Christians good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/god-s-being-good-does-not-somehow-magically-make-all-christians-good/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“God could easily at any moment prove he existed beyond doubt with some amazing show of power which would have everyone kneel to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/god-could-easily-at-any-moment-prove-he-existed-beyond-doubt-with/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“We have to judge all evidence with the same amount of scrutiny. We want truth, not confirmation of whatever our preference is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/we-have-to-judge-all-evidence-with-the-same-amount-of-scrutiny-we/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“It's possible that aliens are building blancmange fortresses on a distant planet millions of light years away. It could be true even though we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/it-s-possible-that-aliens-are-building-blancmange-fortresses-on-a/) [Lewis N. 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Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“If you are to suppose that natural reasons are the cause of everything, then it can only lead to the conclusion that consciousness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/if-you-are-to-suppose-that-natural-reasons-are-the-cause-of/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“Desire, problem solving, and communication are all signs of intelligence and awareness. My cat has these, so it's quite possible he has a soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/desire-problem-solving-and-communication-are-all-signs-of/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“The claim to know that no god exists is just irrational. The non-existence of any god has no evidence, let alone proof. To know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/the-claim-to-know-that-no-god-exists-is-just-irrational-the-non/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) > [“When looking for evidence that something exists, it's silly to start by assuming that it is impossible. Taking any assumptions into study is bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-n-roe/when-looking-for-evidence-that-something-exists-it-s-silly-to-start/) [Lewis N. Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) [Explore all 29 Lewis N. Roe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-n-roe/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. 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Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? 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