--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is generally argued that our…" description: "\"“It is generally argued that our experience of free will presents a compelling mystery: On the one hand, we can't make sense of it in scientific terms;..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/sam-harris-457_philosophy_it-is-generally-argued-that-our-experien_1137513.jpg" --- # It is generally argued that our experience of free will… ![“It is generally argued that our experience of free will presents a compelling mystery: On the one hand, we can't make sense of it in scientific terms; on the other, we feel that we are the authors of our own thoughts and actions.” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/sam-harris-457_philosophy_it-is-generally-argued-that-our-experien_1137513.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/sam-harris-457_philosophy_it-is-generally-argued-that-our-experien_1137513.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/sam-harris-457_philosophy_it-is-generally-argued-that-our-experien_1137513.jpg) > ““It is generally argued that our experience of free will presents a compelling mystery: On the one hand, we can't make sense of it in scientific terms; on the other, we feel that we are the authors of our own thoughts and actions.”” [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights the tension between scientific explanations that struggle to account for free will and the intuitive feeling that we control our thoughts and actions. **In simple terms:** Science can’t fully explain free will, yet we feel we control ourselves. Key Takeaway Recognize the mystery and explore both perspectives. Themes philosophy psychology free will science subjectivity Mood curious reflective thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - personal decision making - ethical debates - psychological research - education - public policy Key Concepts determinism consciousness agency epistemology Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile feeling in control with scientific determinism? - Can free will be a useful illusion? A Different Perspective Scientific models may never fully capture subjective experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argued Experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argued-experience-3156711/) [Authors Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authors-thoughts-3156712/) [Make sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-sense/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Presents Compelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presents-compelling-3156713/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Thoughts and actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-and-actions/) ## Related quotes > [“Consider what it would take to actually have free will. 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