--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our capacity to think, except in the…" description: "\"Our capacity to think, except in the service of what we are dangerously deluded in supposing is our self-interest and in conformity with common sense, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/r-d-laing-4861_and-love_our-capacity-to-think-except-in-the-serv_2136597.jpg" --- # Our capacity to think, except in the service of what we… ![“Our capacity to think, except in the service of what we are dangerously deluded in supposing is our self-interest and in conformity with common sense, is pitifully limited: our capacity even to see, hear, touch, taste and smell is so shrouded in veils of mystification that an intensive discipline…” quote by R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/r-d-laing-4861_and-love_our-capacity-to-think-except-in-the-serv_2136597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/r-d-laing-4861_and-love_our-capacity-to-think-except-in-the-serv_2136597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/r-d-laing-4861_and-love_our-capacity-to-think-except-in-the-serv_2136597.jpg) > “Our capacity to think, except in the service of what we are dangerously deluded in supposing is our self-interest and in conformity with common sense, is pitifully limited: our capacity even to see, hear, touch, taste and smell is so shrouded in veils of mystification that an intensive discipline of unlearning is necessary for anyone before one can begin to experience the world afresh, with innocence, truth and love.” [R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-laing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human perception is clouded by self‑interest and social conditioning, so we must unlearn these filters to experience reality with innocence, truth, and love. **In simple terms:** Our senses are distorted by ego and norms; we need to unlearn to see clearly. Key Takeaway Practice unlearning to perceive anew. Themes self‑knowledge perception authenticity Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - therapy - education - spiritual practice Key Concepts psychology philosophy mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions are you holding that limit your perception? - How can you create space for unlearning in daily life? A Different Perspective Unlearning is difficult and may clash with entrenched beliefs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Common sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-sense/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-interest/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Taste and smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste-and-smell/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truth and love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-and-love/) [Unlearning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlearning/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“YOUR CAPACITY IS LIMITED The challenge is that the demand in our lives increasingly exceeds our capacity. 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