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@rmkelly We think Wright is saying that our brain is gifted at making up stories about the motivation behind actions even when the story telling part of brain doesn't actually have access to or knowledge of the actual motivations behind said actions. My extension of this is that to support the stories our brains make up, & to be seen as reliable members of the tribe, & desirable as a mate, we had to evolve an awareness for finding (or fabricating) evidence for the motivation our behavior. (1)

@rmkelly (2) So I think to clarify, what is actual is subconscious in this quote but the brain evolved to tell stories for survival in a species that uses language. Context around the quote implies that to present as not having a story about our motivations (that are subconscious) would be cause for be ostracized.

Eph

@rmkelly (3) What Wright is aiming for is that 1. with Buddhism (mindfulness meditation) we can know the "actual" motivations for our actions and thus maybe not respond with stories, and 2. in regards to your question of what is the alternative, it is mindful action and decision making.