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Manipulations Quote by Sam Harris

“Given the right experimental manipulations, people can be led to believe that they consciously intended an action when they neither chose it nor had control over their movements.” quote by Sam Harris
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““Given the right experimental manipulations, people can be led to believe that they consciously intended an action when they neither chose it nor had control over their movements.””

Sam Harris

About This Quote

Source Interview: Podcast "Making Sense", 2019

People can be convinced they chose an action they didn’t actually control.

In simple terms: Mind can be tricked into believing control.

Key Takeaway

Question your sense of agency.

Themes

free will perception control

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical inquisitive

When to use this quote

  • legal responsibility
  • marketing
  • personal decisions

Key Concepts

neuroscience philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you trust your own memories of choice?
  • How does this affect moral judgments?
A Different Perspective

The brain’s reconstruction can be unreliable.

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