--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must ask ourselves, \"Is our thinking…" description: "\"“We must ask ourselves, \"Is our thinking on autopilot? Is that autopilot programmed to make ethical decisions?”\" — Linda Fisher Thornton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/linda-fisher-thornton-51891_autopilot_we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on_2489880.jpg" --- # We must ask ourselves, "Is our thinking on autopilot? Is… ![“We must ask ourselves, "Is our thinking on autopilot? Is that autopilot programmed to make ethical decisions?” quote by Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/linda-fisher-thornton-51891_autopilot_we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on_2489880.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/linda-fisher-thornton-51891_autopilot_we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on_2489880.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/linda-fisher-thornton-51891_autopilot_we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on_2489880.jpg) > ““We must ask ourselves, "Is our thinking on autopilot? Is that autopilot programmed to make ethical decisions?”” [Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must examine whether our mental shortcuts are ethically programmed, questioning the moral agency of automated decisions. **In simple terms:** Question if our automatic thoughts make ethical choices. Key Takeaway Audit your mental models for ethical soundness. Themes ethics automation mindfulness decision‑making technology Mood concerned inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - workplace decisions - AI development - personal habits - policy drafting Key Concepts moral philosophy algorithmic bias cognitive automation Questions to Reflect On - What decisions do you automate? - How can you ensure ethical outcomes? A Different Perspective Counterpoint: not all autopilot thinking is harmful; some is efficient. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Autopilot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autopilot/) [Autopilot Autopilot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autopilot-autopilot-952904/) [Autopilot Programmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autopilot-programmed-952903/) [Ethical Decisions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethical-decisions-952905/) [Thinking Autopilot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-autopilot-952902/) ## Related quotes > [Ethical decisions ensure that everyone's best interests are protected. When in doubt, don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/ethical-decisions-ensure-that-everyone-s-best-interests-are-protected/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Technology companies must constantly weigh ethical decisions: Where should Facebook set its privacy defaults, and should it tolerate glimpses of nudity? Should Twitter close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/technology-companies-must-constantly-weigh-ethical-decisions-where/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [I believe firmly that in making ethical decisions, man has the prerogative of true freedom of choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corliss-lamont/i-believe-firmly-that-in-making-ethical-decisions-man-has-the/) [Corliss Lamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corliss-lamont/) > [“God has not given us specific instructions for each and every possible ethical issue we face, but neither are we left to grope in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-2/god-has-not-given-us-specific-instructions-for-each-and-every/) [R.C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-2/) > [“Christians do not restrict their moral horizons to immediate results; they make their ethical decisions from an eternal perspective (p. 52).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson-2/christians-do-not-restrict-their-moral-horizons-to-immediate-results/) [D.A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson-2/) > [“Christian ethical decisions should be based upon personal honor, interpersonal relationships with others including non-Christians, and moral implications of the decisions. Anything less than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-s-haraburda/christian-ethical-decisions-should-be-based-upon-personal-honor/) [Scott S. Haraburda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-s-haraburda/) > [The way an aircraft flies - that is the way the strategy works. Most of the time the plane is on autopilot, and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-niederhoffer/the-way-an-aircraft-flies-that-is-the-way-the-strategy-works-most-of/) [Roy Niederhoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-niederhoffer/) > [As an actor, being on autopilot is the worst thing possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-perry/as-an-actor-being-on-autopilot-is-the-worst-thing-possible/) [Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-perry/) > [“The genuflection toward 'fairness' is a familiar newsroom piety, in practice the excuse for a good deal of autopilot reporting and lazy thinking but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/the-genuflection-toward-fairness-is-a-familiar-newsroom-piety-in/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“The idea of safety had shrunk into particles - one snug moment, then the next. Meanwhile, the brain piped fugues of worry and staged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/the-idea-of-safety-had-shrunk-into-particles-one-snug-moment-then-the/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [We like to be on autopilot and know what lies ahead. But sometimes it's good to get out of your comfort zone a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tomlin/we-like-to-be-on-autopilot-and-know-what-lies-ahead-but-sometimes-it/) [Mike Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tomlin/) > [One study says that 90 percent of our everyday behavior is based on our habits. . . That means how we treat people, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/one-study-says-that-90-percent-of-our-everyday-behavior-is-based-on/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I just see myself in work mode. I'm like a robot: go in, work, go home. Autopilot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulisa/i-just-see-myself-in-work-mode-i-m-like-a-robot-go-in-work-go-home/) [Tulisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulisa/) > [There's a certain rhythm to comedy that is almost like you're dancing and you just go on autopilot, so to speak. There's something just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wolk/there-s-a-certain-rhythm-to-comedy-that-is-almost-like-you-re-dancing/) [James Wolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wolk/) > [Automating some of your finances can be incredibly convenient and is a great way to save time, but automating everything makes it too easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-von-tobel/automating-some-of-your-finances-can-be-incredibly-convenient-and-is/) [Alexa Von Tobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-von-tobel/) ## More by Linda Fisher Thornton > [“Because we are a globally connected village, we need to remember that our choices are not isolated. They have a powerful ripple effect, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/because-we-are-a-globally-connected-village-we-need-to-remember-that/) [Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) > [“There is no check-box for ethical leadership. It is an ongoing individual and organizational journey. We will never know everything that there is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/there-is-no-check-box-for-ethical-leadership-it-is-an-ongoing/) [Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) > [“Leadership responsibility is multidimensional and cannot be described in one or two words. It is personal, interpersonal, environmental and societal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/leadership-responsibility-is-multidimensional-and-cannot-be-described/) [Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) > [“Face the complexity involved in making ethical choices.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/face-the-complexity-involved-in-making-ethical-choices/) [Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) > [“In a human development sense, our understanding of leadership has essentially “grown up” and moved past personal ego and a self-centered view of things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/in-a-human-development-sense-our-understanding-of-leadership-has/) [Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) > [“As a global community, we are increasingly aware of the impact of our choices on others. We are more aware of our human connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/as-a-global-community-we-are-increasingly-aware-of-the-impact-of-our/) [Linda Fisher Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) [Explore all 7 Linda Fisher Thornton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/) ## More Autopilot quotes > [Automating some of your finances can be incredibly convenient and is a great way to save time, but automating everything makes it too easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-von-tobel/automating-some-of-your-finances-can-be-incredibly-convenient-and-is/) [Alexa Von Tobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-von-tobel/) > [There's a certain rhythm to comedy that is almost like you're dancing and you just go on autopilot, so to speak. There's something just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wolk/there-s-a-certain-rhythm-to-comedy-that-is-almost-like-you-re-dancing/) [James Wolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wolk/) > [I just see myself in work mode. I'm like a robot: go in, work, go home. Autopilot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulisa/i-just-see-myself-in-work-mode-i-m-like-a-robot-go-in-work-go-home/) [Tulisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulisa/) > [One study says that 90 percent of our everyday behavior is based on our habits. . . That means how we treat people, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/one-study-says-that-90-percent-of-our-everyday-behavior-is-based-on/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [We like to be on autopilot and know what lies ahead. But sometimes it's good to get out of your comfort zone a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tomlin/we-like-to-be-on-autopilot-and-know-what-lies-ahead-but-sometimes-it/) [Mike Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tomlin/) > [“The idea of safety had shrunk into particles - one snug moment, then the next. Meanwhile, the brain piped fugues of worry and staged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/the-idea-of-safety-had-shrunk-into-particles-one-snug-moment-then-the/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [“The genuflection toward 'fairness' is a familiar newsroom piety, in practice the excuse for a good deal of autopilot reporting and lazy thinking but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/the-genuflection-toward-fairness-is-a-familiar-newsroom-piety-in/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [As an actor, being on autopilot is the worst thing possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-perry/as-an-actor-being-on-autopilot-is-the-worst-thing-possible/) [Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-perry/) > [The way an aircraft flies - that is the way the strategy works. Most of the time the plane is on autopilot, and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-niederhoffer/the-way-an-aircraft-flies-that-is-the-way-the-strategy-works-most-of/) [Roy Niederhoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-niederhoffer/) > [Very often, human beings are living like on autopilot, reacting automatically with what happens. What interests me about the life of an explorer is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-piccard/very-often-human-beings-are-living-like-on-autopilot-reacting/) [Bertrand Piccard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-piccard/) > [Flying for the airlines is not supposed to be an adventure. From takeoff to landing, the autopilots handle the controls. This is routine. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-ziegler/flying-for-the-airlines-is-not-supposed-to-be-an-adventure-from/) [Bernard Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-ziegler/) > [I think Tesla will most likely develop its own autopilot system for the car, as I think it should be camera-based, not Lidar-based. However,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/i-think-tesla-will-most-likely-develop-its-own-autopilot-system-for/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [In about 14 and 3/4 minutes your body will go into autopilot…After that you are free to do the stupid shit...Like looking at ya…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katt-williams/in-about-14-and-3-4-minutes-your-body-will-go-into-autopilot-after/) [Katt Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katt-williams/) > [I like the word 'autopilot' more than I like the word 'self-driving.' 'Self-driving' sounds like it's going to do something you don't want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/i-like-the-word-autopilot-more-than-i-like-the-word-self-driving-self/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [“The autopilot is a hands-free piece of electronic wizardry. It's not some brutal application of electricity like one of the Pubyok's car batteries...Think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-johnson/the-autopilot-is-a-hands-free-piece-of-electronic-wizardry-it-s-not/) [Adam Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-johnson/) [Browse all 36 Autopilot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autopilot/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We must ask ourselves, \"Is our thinking on autopilot? Is that autopilot programmed to make ethical decisions?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Linda Fisher Thornton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on-autopilot-is-that-autopilot/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Autopilot" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on-autopilot-is-that-autopilot/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/linda-fisher-thornton-51891_autopilot_we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on_2489880.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/linda-fisher-thornton-51891_autopilot_we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on_2489880.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/linda-fisher-thornton-51891_autopilot_we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on_2489880.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We must ask ourselves, \"Is our thinking on autopilot? Is that autopilot programmed to make ethical decisions?” — Linda Fisher Thornton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Linda Fisher Thornton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-fisher-thornton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We must ask ourselves, \"Is our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on-autopilot-is-that-autopilot/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-fisher-thornton/we-must-ask-ourselves-is-our-thinking-on-autopilot-is-that-autopilot/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```