Skip to content

Conscious mind Quote by Lewis Thomas

Download Open image
““We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are stamped with stereotyped, unalterable patterns of response, ready to be released. And the behavior released in us, by such confrontations, is, essentially, a surprised affection. It is compulsory behavior and we can avoid it only by straining with the full power of our conscious minds, making up conscious excuses all the way. Left to ourselves, mechanistic and autonomic, we hanker for friends.””

Lewis Thomas

5.0 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Lewis Thomas

Explore all 173 Lewis Thomas quotes

More Conscious mind quotes

Browse all 491 Conscious mind quotes