“Losing a belief in free will has not made me fatalistic—in fact, it has increased my feelings of freedom. My hopes, fears, and neuroses seem less personal and indelible. There is no telling how much I might change in the future. Just as one wouldn’t draw a lasting conclusion about oneself on the basis of a brief experience of indigestion, one needn’t do so on the basis of how one has thought or behaved for vast stretches of time in the past. A creative change of inputs to the system—learning new skills, forming new relationships, adopting new habits of attention—may radically transform one’s life.”

Share & Save

Meaning

Not documented yet.

When It Was Said

Not documented yet.

Who It Was Said To

Not documented yet.

Historical Context

Not documented yet.

Source

Not documented yet.

Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

Did They Really Say It?

Not documented yet.

Did You Know?

Not documented yet.

About Sam Harris

Neuroethicist and philosopher from the United States, Harris bridges science and spirituality with rigorous inquiry. His work explores consciousness, morality, and the intersection of neuroscience and religion, often challenging conventional wisdom with evidence-based perspectives.

More from Sam Harris (160 quotes) →
"Losing a belief in free will has not made me fatalistic—in fact, it h…" — Sam Harris | Daily Quotes