“our moral reasoning is plagued by two illusions. The first illusion can be called the wag-the-dog illusion: We believe that our own moral judgment (the dog) is driven by our own moral reasoning (the tail). The second illusion can be called the wag-theother-dog's-tail illusion: In a moral argument, we expect the successful rebuttal of an opponent's arguments to change the opponent's mind. Such a belief is like thinking that forcing a dog's tail to wag by moving it with your hand will make the dog happy.”

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Originally said in English.

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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.

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"our moral reasoning is plagued by two illusions. The first illusion c…" — Sam Harris | Daily Quotes