--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a sense in which all cognition…" description: "\"“There is a sense in which all cognition can be said to be motivated. One is motivated to understand the world, to be in touch with reality, to remove ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41e/sam-harris-457_cognition_there-is-a-sense-in-which-all-cognition_2476878.jpg" --- # There is a sense in which all cognition can be said to be… ![“There is a sense in which all cognition can be said to be motivated. One is motivated to understand the world, to be in touch with reality, to remove doubt, etc. Alternately one might say that motivation is an aspect of cognition itself. Nevertheless, motives like wanting to find the truth, not…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41e/sam-harris-457_cognition_there-is-a-sense-in-which-all-cognition_2476878.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41e/sam-harris-457_cognition_there-is-a-sense-in-which-all-cognition_2476878.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41e/sam-harris-457_cognition_there-is-a-sense-in-which-all-cognition_2476878.jpg) > ““There is a sense in which all cognition can be said to be motivated. One is motivated to understand the world, to be in touch with reality, to remove doubt, etc. Alternately one might say that motivation is an aspect of cognition itself. Nevertheless, motives like wanting to find the truth, not wanting to be mistaken, etc., tend to align with epistemic goals in a way that many other commitments do not. As we have begun to see, all reasoning may be inextricable from emotion. But if a person's primary motivation in holding a belief is to hue to a positive state of mind, to mitigate feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, or guilt for instance. This is precisely what we mean by phrases like "wishful thinking", and "self-deception". Such a person will of necessity be less responsive to valid chains of evidence and argument that run counter to the beliefs he is seeking to maintain. To point out non-epistemic motives in an others view of the world, therefore, is always a criticism, as it serves to cast doubt on a persons connection to the world as it is.”” [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. Cognition is driven by motives, often aligning with truth‑seeking, but non‑epistemic motives like wishful thinking can bias reasoning and reduce openness to evidence. **In simple terms:** Our motives shape how we think, sometimes clouding truth. Key Takeaway Recognize and question non‑epistemic motives. Themes cognition motivation epistemic goals bias emotion Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - academic research - personal decision‑making - debate - critical thinking Key Concepts epistemology psychology self‑deception Questions to Reflect On - How do your personal goals affect your judgments? - Can you identify when wishful thinking is influencing you? A Different Perspective Non‑epistemic motives can dominate even when evidence is strong. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognition/) [Cognition Motives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognition-motives-821274/) [Cognition Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cognition-said-821277/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Epistemic Motives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epistemic-motives-821275/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motives/) [Motives View](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motives-view-821276/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) [Wishful thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wishful-thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“To point out nonepistemic motives in another’s view of the world, therefore, is always a criticism, as it serves to cast doubt upon a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/to-point-out-nonepistemic-motives-in-another-s-view-of-the-world/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [Faculty Psychology is getting to be respectable again after centuries of hanging around with phrenologists and other dubious types. 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Nevertheless, motives like wanting to find the truth, not wanting to be mistaken, etc., tend to align with epistemic goals in a way that many other commitments do not. As we have begun to see, all reasoning may be inextricable from emotion. But if a person's primary motivation in holding a belief is to hue to a positive state of mind, to mitigate feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, or guilt for instance. This is precisely what we mean by phrases like \"wishful thinking\", and \"self-deception\". Such a person will of necessity be less responsive to valid chains of evidence and argument that run counter to the beliefs he is seeking to maintain. 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