Assumptions Quote by Sam Harris
““The popular conception of free will seems to rest on two assumptions: (1) that each of us could have behaved differently than we did in the past, and (2) that we are the conscious source of most of our thoughts and actions in the present.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Free Will, 2012
Free will is often assumed to involve alternative possibilities and conscious control over thoughts and actions.
In simple terms: Free will assumes choice and conscious control.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about autonomy.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
determinism
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- ethical debates
- personal decision making
- legal responsibility
Key Concepts
consciousness
agency
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel truly in control?
- What influences your choices?
A Different Perspective
Neuroscience suggests many decisions are unconscious.
![“Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern world. [...] The first thing to observe about the moderate’s retreat from scriptural literalism is that it draws its inspiration not from scripture but from…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg)
