Do people choose how smart, mature, or mentally balanced they are or is that up to the environment?

Question

And if it is up to evironment, wouldn't that mean people are not given equal opportunity to follow societal norms and be good?

I mean you can't choose what class you are born into or how much access you have for education. We really can't be liable for life decisions we make as children lilke reading or watching movies.

Answer 1

I think we are lying to ourselves if we say all are created equal. Of course we are born with different gifts, we do not choose them.

How we choose to nurture them is a different story.

I truly feel we are not given the equal opportunity you refer to, but this allows opportunity to be humble, to help and be helped, to do the best we can with what God gave us and be grateful for it.

I am very blessed and grateful for what I have been given, and graced with not losing them after abusing myself so long!

Thanks for the Q

Answer 2

Those qualities, if we have them, are ever changing. We have some control over them by being able to devote more or less effort, but I don't think people can choose how smart they are. If people could choose their level of smartness, they would probably all shoot for the top, not wanting to have less than the most. So there would be no room to improve or get smarter.

As for the environment, I think that if it had anything to do with it, everyone would want to live in the best environment. The one that provides the most smartness, etc.

So, I don't think you can choose those qualities, nor do I think the environment is of any help in attaining them. I think you just have to make an effort (if your so inclined) and hope you are successful. And part of your success will most likely be dependent on what your parents gave you (genetics).

Answer 3

I believe in the universal law of karma and reincarnation. The law of karma states - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that for every cause you put forth (good or bad) you must experience the reaction/consequences of that action. Reincarnation goes hand in hand with karma ... this means you will continue to reincarnate back into the physical plane until your karmic debt is paid. Before each reincarnation, you have the opportunity to review your past life with a "guide" and make choices for your next lifetime whereby you will learn the most and conquer the lessons you failed at in your previous lifetime. You have the opportunity to choose your parents, your race, your social status ... So yeah, you *indeed* choose how smart, mature, or mentally balanced you will be in the next incarnation.

It's the only "fair" system and explains why "innocent" infants are sometime born into the world with handicaps and physical challenges. They chose that life in order to pay a karmic debt and to experience a different way of life and learn different lessons.

Answer 4

A lot of it is determined by your position or environment when you are young but you also have to have it in you or it will never come out.
Some people are just naturally smarter than others because of good genes they received at birth but anyone can improve themselves if they work at it by going to school and studying and reading and learning new things in life.

We can't all be brain surgeons but most people are good at certain things and can do fairly well in life and be good members of society.

Just try to be a good person and do the best you can in life.

Answer 5

i believe is how God wat's us to be like in the end, coz he is the creator and he obviously will sit ur limited brain capacity and sharpness, but we cant forget about the human himself coz he is the only one who can better him self through learning and trying, environment might play a roul here but not a big one but the need to come up with ideas is the key factor that will motivate ppl to think, they say human use only 30% of their brain ability through they whole life and the only explanation for that is that life became more easier and there is few ppl who though for u and createed or will creat everything for u.

Answer 6

People choose who they want to be.Environment might affect someone but that really just a minor part.But the major part that affect yourself is yourself.Want to be smart?Then read,study and learn.Mature?Its based on life experience.Mentally balanced?That depend how open you are and how you handle the problems in your life!
Don't blame anyone for your failure but yourself!Because you will thanks no one when you are successful!

Answer 7

a lot of people who act crazy, or sensitive, or immature, dont really have to, Id say anyone (almost) who wants to act like a quality person, can. and, in any situation. If a person is acting wrongly, It is unlikely the fault of the environment.

Answer 8

i think it's both environment and genetics, though more-so environment.

It's sad, but not everyone gets the same education and oppertunities. It's a curse of trying to organize large society. pieces fall through.

Answer 9

how smart - yes, since that's a matter of education
mature - somewhat
mentally balanced, somewhat, but a person's mental state can dubious

Answer 10

Yes. Unless they can find someone to blame it on.