--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Human beings never think for…" description: "\"Human beings never think for themselves... For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told-and become upset if they are expo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab9/michael-crichton-694_atheism_human-beings-never-think-for-themselves_2828055.jpg" --- # Human beings never think for themselves... For the most… ![“Human beings never think for themselves... For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told-and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity... We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any…” quote by Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab9/michael-crichton-694_atheism_human-beings-never-think-for-themselves_2828055.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab9/michael-crichton-694_atheism_human-beings-never-think-for-themselves_2828055.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab9/michael-crichton-694_atheism_human-beings-never-think-for-themselves_2828055.jpg) > “Human beings never think for themselves... For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told-and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity... We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just a self-congratulatory delusion.” [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans tend to conform and repeat ideas, suppressing independent thought. **In simple terms:** People conform and repeat ideas. Key Takeaway Cultivate critical thinking and question norms. Themes conformity education psychology Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - classroom - media consumption - workplace meetings Key Concepts cognitive bias social influence Questions to Reflect On - When does conformity help? - How to balance individuality and community? A Different Perspective Conformity can also foster social cohesion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Awareness Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness-conformity-3215179/) [Characteristic Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characteristic-human-564032/) [Characteristics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characteristics/) [Conformist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformist/) [Conformists View](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformists-view-3637809/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Destructive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destructive/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-views/) [Exposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exposed/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Human Trait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-trait-423127/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Rage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rage/) [Repeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repeats/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self destructive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-destructive/) [Species](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/species/) [Stubborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stubborn/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Traits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traits/) [Upset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upset/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare. Other animals fight for territory or food; but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/the-characteristic-human-trait-is-not-awareness-but-conformity-and/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“What makes you think human beings are sentient and aware? There's no evidence for it. Human beings never think for themselves, they find it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/what-makes-you-think-human-beings-are-sentient-and-aware-there-s-no/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/the-characteristic-human-trait-is-not-awareness-but-conformity-and-2/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“A name is the first and final marker of individual rights, one fixed part of the ever changing human world. A name is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/a-name-is-the-first-and-final-marker-of-individual-rights-one-fixed/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [Diversity in the world is a basic characteristic of human society, and also the key condition for a lively and dynamic world as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/diversity-in-the-world-is-a-basic-characteristic-of-human-society-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Stubbornness one of the remarkable characteristic of the human being”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-r-gomez-l/stubbornness-one-of-the-remarkable-characteristic-of-the-human-being/) [Anthony R. Gomez L](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-r-gomez-l/) > [It's obviously a characteristic of human beings that we like to feel superior to others, but our problem is we are not superior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-shawn/it-s-obviously-a-characteristic-of-human-beings-that-we-like-to-feel/) [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) > [“So everybody lives the way they're told to. The way they have to. Everybody most of the time. Not ever all the time. Hair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-potrebenko/so-everybody-lives-the-way-they-re-told-to-the-way-they-have-to/) [Helen Potrebenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-potrebenko/) > [Clarity is not a characteristic of the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/clarity-is-not-a-characteristic-of-the-human-spirit/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [By some ardent enthusiasts Chess has been elevated into a science or an art. It is neither; but its principal characteristic seems to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/by-some-ardent-enthusiasts-chess-has-been-elevated-into-a-science-or/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [You are hierarchical. That's the older and more entrenched characteristic. We saw it in your closest animal relatives and in your most distant ones.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-are-hierarchical-that-s-the-older-and-more-entrenched/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Whereas the will is made of titanium and steel, the human spirit is a million times more delicate. It reflects the self-concept or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-dobson/whereas-the-will-is-made-of-titanium-and-steel-the-human-spirit-is-a/) [James C. Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-dobson/) > [However it may be confounded or covered up or counterfeited, this elemental capacity to fight against injustice remains the distinguishing characteristic of human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/however-it-may-be-confounded-or-covered-up-or-counterfeited-this/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [Being jealous isn't a female trait, its a human trait...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-jealous-isn-t-a-female-trait-its-a-human-trait/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The single most valuable human trait, the one quality every schoolchild and adult should be taught to nurture, is, quite simply, kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derren-brown/the-single-most-valuable-human-trait-the-one-quality-every/) [Derren Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derren-brown/) ## More by Michael Crichton > [They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-are-focused-on-whether-they-can-do-something-they-never-think/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [This is the gift of your species and this is the danger, because you do not choose to control your imaginings. You imagine wonderful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/this-is-the-gift-of-your-species-and-this-is-the-danger-because-you/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“it is important to recognize that the behavior of the two antagonists mirrors each other, like a Rorschach inkblot. The value of a Rorschach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/it-is-important-to-recognize-that-the-behavior-of-the-two-antagonists/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Exercise invigorates the body and sharpens the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/exercise-invigorates-the-body-and-sharpens-the-mind/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Social control is best managed through fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/social-control-is-best-managed-through-fear/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [They always say they didn't. I never heard of one who said, 'You know, I deserve this.' Never happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-always-say-they-didn-t-i-never-heard-of-one-who-said-you-know-i/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Friendships are nice. So is competence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/friendships-are-nice-so-is-competence/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [I can tell you that second hand smoke is not a health hazard to anyone and never was, and the EPA has always known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/i-can-tell-you-that-second-hand-smoke-is-not-a-health-hazard-to/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [As the practical value of altering consciousness becomes recognized, procedures to effect these alterations will become increasingly ordinary and unremarkable. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/as-the-practical-value-of-altering-consciousness-becomes-recognized/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [In any case, you read with exasperation or amusement the multiple errors in a story-and then turn the page to national or international affairs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/in-any-case-you-read-with-exasperation-or-amusement-the-multiple/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Books aren't written - they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/books-aren-t-written-they-re-rewritten-including-your-own-it-is-one/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [The purpose of life is to stay alive. Watch any animal in nature--all it tries to do is stay alive. It doesn't care about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-stay-alive-watch-any-animal-in-nature-all/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [One of the things that Americans, as a multiracial society, feel is a tremendous sensitivity to racial comments of all kinds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/one-of-the-things-that-americans-as-a-multiracial-society-feel-is-a/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Nobody smart knows what they want to do until they get into their twenties or thirties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/nobody-smart-knows-what-they-want-to-do-until-they-get-into-their/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [This fascination with computer models is something I understand very well. Richard Feynmann called it a disease. I fear he is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/this-fascination-with-computer-models-is-something-i-understand-very/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) [Explore all 386 Michael Crichton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) ## 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. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. 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? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Human beings never think for themselves... For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told-and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity... We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just a self-congratulatory delusion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Crichton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/human-beings-never-think-for-themselves-for-the-most-part-members-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Atheism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/human-beings-never-think-for-themselves-for-the-most-part-members-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab9/michael-crichton-694_atheism_human-beings-never-think-for-themselves_2828055.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab9/michael-crichton-694_atheism_human-beings-never-think-for-themselves_2828055.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab9/michael-crichton-694_atheism_human-beings-never-think-for-themselves_2828055.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Human beings never think for themselves... For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they…” — Michael Crichton", "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": "Michael Crichton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Human beings never think for themselves......", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/human-beings-never-think-for-themselves-for-the-most-part-members-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/human-beings-never-think-for-themselves-for-the-most-part-members-of/#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 } } ] } ```