Nayef Al-Rodhan Quotes & Sayings

Realism implicated that imperialism and imperialist conquests or prestige can be pursued as part of the animus dominandi, the desire to dominate, which is the social force that determines political activity. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

I define sustainable history as a durable progressive trajectory in which the quality of life on this planet or other planets is premised on the guarantee of human dignity for all at all times and under all circumstances. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Human nature is governed by general self-interest and affected by genetic predisposition, which implies that there are likely to be limits to our moral sensitivities. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

The moment of the print button for biology is nearing. Effectively, this could also mean that in a not-too-distant future, smart pharmacology will permit us to receive a continuous supply of antidepressants or neuroenhancers every time our dopamine level drops. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

No sustainable prosperity or security can be attained at the expense or marginalization of others. Indeed, in today's world, humanity will either triumph or fail as a whole. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Much like addictive drugs, power uses ready-made reward circuitries in the brain, producing extreme pleasure. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Globally, democracies have also acted in ways that suggest an outright renunciation of their principles at home. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

The ways in which readers encounter and relate to information is dramatically influenced by their education as well as their awareness of the pitfalls relating to the information source. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Genome-based treatment, based on wider and cheaper availability of genome data, will provide new ways to customize the therapeutic protocol and enhance our control over diseases and medical treatment. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Cognitive neuroscience, and social theorists from Weber to Bourdieu, have recognized that humans act, most of the time, habitually, not reflectively. Both at intrastate and inter-states levels, habits play critical roles in mitigating uncertainty, providing a sense of order, and entrench patterns of cooperation or enmity. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

In a hyper-capitalist environment dominated by media giants, the means available to independent journalism have narrowed considerably. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Mimicking the intricacies of the human brain, a neuro-inspired computer would work in a fashion similar to the way neurons and synapses communicate. It could potentially learn or develop memory. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

The history of Israel-Palestine conflict cannot be understood without its underlying emotional meanders. The emotional frameworks of the loss of Palestine for the Arab-Islamic world touched deep scars that go back to the Crusades, symbolizing a proof of Arab-Islamic decay, political impotence, and perceived (British/French) betrayal and antagonism. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Governments must ensure that the power of blogs is cultivated and implemented in collaborative ways, with a view to preserve peace and human dignity. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

Human beings are 'emotional amoral egoists,' driven above all by emotional self-interest. All of our thoughts, beliefs and motivations are neurochemically mediated, some predetermined for survival, others alterable. — Nayef Al-Rodhan

It is unrealistic to imagine a US geostrategic vision which sees its pivotal interests linked exclusively to the Pacific region. More appropriately, we need to consider the wider Middle East, Central Asia and North-East Africa to be bound together in a geopolitical unit of pivotal importance. — Nayef Al-Rodhan