--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Knowing about the neurobiological and…" description: "\"Knowing about the neurobiological and evolutionary basis for social behavior can soften the arrogance and self-righteousness that often attends discuss..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/patricia-churchland-19570_arrogance_knowing-about-the-neurobiological-and-ev_2506262.jpg" --- # Knowing about the neurobiological and evolutionary basis… ![“Knowing about the neurobiological and evolutionary basis for social behavior can soften the arrogance and self-righteousness that often attends discussions of morality. It may help us all to think a little more carefully and rationally.” quote by Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/patricia-churchland-19570_arrogance_knowing-about-the-neurobiological-and-ev_2506262.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/patricia-churchland-19570_arrogance_knowing-about-the-neurobiological-and-ev_2506262.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/patricia-churchland-19570_arrogance_knowing-about-the-neurobiological-and-ev_2506262.jpg) > “Knowing about the neurobiological and evolutionary basis for social behavior can soften the arrogance and self-righteousness that often attends discussions of morality. It may help us all to think a little more carefully and rationally.” [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding the biology of social behavior can reduce moral arrogance and promote rational discourse. **In simple terms:** Science can temper moral superiority. Key Takeaway Use evidence to inform ethical debates. Themes morality science humility reason evolution Mood thoughtful inquisitive educational Type philosophical scientific When to use this quote - academic seminars - public policy debates - education curricula - online discussions Key Concepts neuroscience philosophy ethics cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - How can we make scientific insights accessible? - What role does empathy play alongside rationality? A Different Perspective Complexity can be intimidating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrogance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) [Bases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Discussion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussion/) [Discussions Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussions-morality-1112459/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Knowing Neurobiological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing-neurobiological-1112457/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Neurobiological Evolutionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neurobiological-evolutionary-1112458/) [Righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteousness/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-righteousness/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-behavior/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Calamity, war, famine, plague, death, adversity, disease, injury do not necessarily produce repentance. We may become better in a calamity but it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/calamity-war-famine-plague-death-adversity-disease-injury-do-not/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“But there is not one management course in the world where they recommend Self-Righteousness as a tool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/but-there-is-not-one-management-course-in-the-world-where-they/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [“... there is nothing so tedious like the self-righteousness of a young man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hailey/there-is-nothing-so-tedious-like-the-self-righteousness-of-a-young-man/) [Arthur Hailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hailey/) > [Self-righteousness is the inevitable fruit of simple moral judgments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-niebuhr/self-righteousness-is-the-inevitable-fruit-of-simple-moral-judgments/) [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-niebuhr/) > [I would encourage them never to forget that they were not always vegans. The self-righteousness of the recently converted hurts, it does not help,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-regan/i-would-encourage-them-never-to-forget-that-they-were-not-always/) [Tom Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-regan/) > [Will you rise or become a slave to self righteousness. Open up your heart and gaze within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killswitch-engage/will-you-rise-or-become-a-slave-to-self-righteousness-open-up-your/) [Killswitch Engage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killswitch-engage/) > [There is always the fear of self-righteousness possessing us, the fear of arrogating to ourselves a superiority that we do not possess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/there-is-always-the-fear-of-self-righteousness-possessing-us-the-fear/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [So when we call pain a problem, we claim we do not deserve it. We are even prepared to scuttle God to maintain our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gerstner/so-when-we-call-pain-a-problem-we-claim-we-do-not-deserve-it-we-are/) [John Gerstner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gerstner/) > [A trustworthy marriage has weathered temptation and anger and jealousy, resentment, self-righteousness and a little bit of selfishness. When you get over and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/a-trustworthy-marriage-has-weathered-temptation-and-anger-and/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Real joy is becoming exceedingly rare among artists of any kind. And I have an idea that those who can and do communicate it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/real-joy-is-becoming-exceedingly-rare-among-artists-of-any-kind-and-i/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [The saints are sinners still. Our best tears need to be wept over, the strongest faith is mixed with unbelief, our most flaming love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-saints-are-sinners-still-our-best-tears-need-to-be-wept-over-the/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [If he were allowed contact with foreigners he would discover that they are creatures similar to himself and that most of what he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/if-he-were-allowed-contact-with-foreigners-he-would-discover-that/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [But somehow in identifying myself as the healer, there was still a seed of both self-righteousness and defense from a kind of emptiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/but-somehow-in-identifying-myself-as-the-healer-there-was-still-a/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [Do not all theists insist that there can be no morality, no justice, honesty or fidelity without the belief in a Divine Power? Based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/do-not-all-theists-insist-that-there-can-be-no-morality-no-justice-2/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [“Rather than experiencing the richness of a dynamic, intimate relationship with the righteous One, you put God in a little box that you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/rather-than-experiencing-the-richness-of-a-dynamic-intimate/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) ## More by Patricia Churchland > [Studies of decision-making in the monkey, where activity of single neurons in parietal cortex is recorded, you can see a lot about the time-accuracy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/studies-of-decision-making-in-the-monkey-where-activity-of-single/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [It is important to understand that while oxytocin may be the hub of the evolution of the social brain in mammals, it is part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/it-is-important-to-understand-that-while-oxytocin-may-be-the-hub-of/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [It seems probable that humans have been on the planet, with much the same brain, for about 250,000 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/it-seems-probable-that-humans-have-been-on-the-planet-with-much-the/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [Brains are not magical; they are causal machines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/brains-are-not-magical-they-are-causal-machines/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [Remember, in the heyday of vitalism, people said that when all the data are in about cells and how they work, we will still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/remember-in-the-heyday-of-vitalism-people-said-that-when-all-the-data/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [Suppression of impulses that would put you in danger is obviously an important neurobiological function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/suppression-of-impulses-that-would-put-you-in-danger-is-obviously-an/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [Early studies of sleep and dreaming were crucially dependent on waking subjects up during sleep to find out whether they are dreaming or not.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/early-studies-of-sleep-and-dreaming-were-crucially-dependent-on/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [When that theory is isolated from known facts, it is likely not to be productive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/when-that-theory-is-isolated-from-known-facts-it-is-likely-not-to-be/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [I used to suspect that in the brain, time is its own representation. I now think the problem is so much more complicated. Initially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/i-used-to-suspect-that-in-the-brain-time-is-its-own-representation-i/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [I am less attracted to guesses about what cannot be done, than about making progress on a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/i-am-less-attracted-to-guesses-about-what-cannot-be-done-than-about/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [Analyzing a concept can (perhaps) tell you what the concept means (at least means to some philosophers), but it does not tell you anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/analyzing-a-concept-can-perhaps-tell-you-what-the-concept-means-at/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [Humility bids us to take ourselves as we are; we do not have to be cosmically significant to be genuinely significant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/humility-bids-us-to-take-ourselves-as-we-are-we-do-not-have-to-be/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [I made the assumption, wrong of course, that conceptual analysis was a brief preliminary on the road to finding out about the nature of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/i-made-the-assumption-wrong-of-course-that-conceptual-analysis-was-a/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [When philosophers try to understand consciousness, much of what they claim is not conceptual analysis at all, though it may be shopped under that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/when-philosophers-try-to-understand-consciousness-much-of-what-they/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [If you give up because you announce the phenomenon cannot be explained, you are missing out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/if-you-give-up-because-you-announce-the-phenomenon-cannot-be/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) [Explore all 32 Patricia Churchland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) ## More Arrogance quotes > [Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this \[step by step, from humans to apes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us-with-so-extraordinary-a/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [wishes for sons by Lucille Clifton i wish them cramps. i wish them a strange town and the last tampon. I wish them no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-clifton/wishes-for-sons-by-lucille-clifton-i-wish-them-cramps-i-wish-them-a/) [Lucille Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-clifton/) > [The structure of the Swiss ruling class is rock-hard, and unchanged since the time of Napoleon. They sit on their mountains and lecture the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ziegler/the-structure-of-the-swiss-ruling-class-is-rock-hard-and-unchanged/) [Jean Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ziegler/) > [What you see of me on TV and all of that, that is me - that's truly how I feel. I'm just multiplying it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-corbin/what-you-see-of-me-on-tv-and-all-of-that-that-is-me-that-s-truly-how/) [Baron Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-corbin/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Never mistake someones quietness for their arrogance as you can surely miss out on an awsome personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-mistake-someones-quietness-for-their-arrogance-as-you-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“I was consumed by a selfishness and arrogance that I didn't dare let go of until I found a new persona to hide behind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-koomson/i-was-consumed-by-a-selfishness-and-arrogance-that-i-didn-t-dare-let/) [Dorothy Koomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-koomson/) > [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Timing and arrogance are decisive factors in the successful use of talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-mannes/timing-and-arrogance-are-decisive-factors-in-the-successful-use-of/) [Marya Mannes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-mannes/) > [Some say work smarter, not harder, but the wisest are both. Whether you're more of a hard worker or a smart worker, if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colby-tatem/some-say-work-smarter-not-harder-but-the-wisest-are-both-whether-you/) [Colby Tatem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colby-tatem/) > [Closed some doors, not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they no longer lead somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenz-jeffrey/closed-some-doors-not-because-of-pride-incapacity-or-arrogance-but/) [Frenz Jeffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frenz-jeffrey/) > [My success isn't a result of arrogance - it's a result of belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/my-success-isn-t-a-result-of-arrogance-it-s-a-result-of-belief/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [“...a great man who is vicious will only be a great doer of evil, and a rich man who is not liberal will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cervantes/a-great-man-who-is-vicious-will-only-be-a-great-doer-of-evil-and-a/) [Miguel Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-cervantes/) > [An increasing number of people are growing uncomfortable with the gulf between the world's rich and the poor. Ostentatiously splashing your money around simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalle-lasn/an-increasing-number-of-people-are-growing-uncomfortable-with-the/) [Kalle Lasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalle-lasn/) [Browse all 1,418 Arrogance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Knowing about the neurobiological and evolutionary basis for social behavior can soften the arrogance and self-righteousness that often attends discussions of morality. 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