Believe Quote by Steven Pinker
“Something about the topic of consciousness makes people, like the White Queen in Through The Looking Glass, believe six impossible things before breakfast.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
People often accept absurd ideas when the topic is complex, like believing impossible things early in the day.
In simple terms: People accept absurd ideas about consciousness.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about consciousness.
Themes
cognitive bias
absurdity
philosophy
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
skeptical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic lectures
- casual debates
- media consumption
Key Concepts
belief formation
mental shortcuts
early morning cognition
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we accept unlikely ideas?
- What evidence challenges these beliefs?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify scientific discourse.
![“At lunch break [from cheesemaking] I checked out the wildly colorful powder room, where a quote from Alice in Wonderland was painted on the wall: There's no use in trying,' Alice said. 'One can't believe impossible things.' I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your…” quote by Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d3/barbara-kingsolver-200_impossible-things_at-lunch-break-from-cheesemaking-i-check_2798588.jpg)
