Emotional connection Quote by Richard Finney
““A lizard brain fired the gun that wounded you, but it was the combination of three brains that orchestrated the elaborate circumstances in which the trigger was pulled. Way back when, the Landlord believed a second brain would endow some of his lower life forms with the capacity for emotional connections. By adding the third brain, he probably planned on having his... higher forms empowered with the ability to not only think before acting, but to feel regret afterwards when their actions were wrong. But that’s not what happened, is it?””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, possibly a speculative talk or interview, date unknown
The quote suggests that human behavior results from multiple interacting cognitive systems, not just primitive instincts, and that higher reasoning and regret were expected but may not manifest as intended.
In simple terms: Human actions stem from several brain parts working together, not just basic instincts.
Recognize the complexity of decision making beyond instinct.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership decisions
- conflict resolution
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure our higher reasoning guides ethical behavior?
- What role does regret play in learning?
Higher cognitive abilities may not always lead to moral outcomes.