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About this quote

What does it mean?
Most human problems come from copying animal nervous processes instead of thinking logically.
In plain terms
We act like animals instead of thinking, which causes our troubles.
What can you take from it?
Overcoming mental issues requires moving beyond instinctual reactions.

Where it applies

  • self-improvement
  • therapy
  • education

Putting it to work

  • practice logical thinking
  • identify instinctive reactions

Questions to consider

  • How much of your behavior is instinctual?
  • Can you override your nervous processes?

Another view

Animal instincts are sometimes useful and necessary for survival.

More from Alfred Korzybski

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  3. The only link between the verbal and objective world is exclusively structural, necessitating the conclusion that the only content of all 'knowledge' is struct…

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