Certain behaviors are instinctual:
* Eating is an instinct
* Avoiding death is an instinct
* Reproducing is an instinct
Every animal follows its instincts, but humans have the ability to transcend theif instincts. Humans have the opportunity to take their fate into their own hands, unlike animals who are strictly limited to following the instincts they were born with.
When you perform behavior dictated by your genes, is that you acting, or is it some other force commanding you to act in a certain way? Is it really your will when you have no choice over it?
Most people live for their families, that is they get their meaning in life by following their instinct to pass on their genes. This is best characterized as their selfish genes acting to make sure that the genes survive.
When you reach the end of your life, and upon reflection, decide that you only followed the behavior pattern dictated by your genes, only acted instinctually, will you have lived a meaningful life?
2006-09-23
16:19:06
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12 answers
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asked by
Tom D
4
in
Philosophy