emotions of destruction?

Question

How do you think emotions like hate, anger, and jelousy developed among humans but not other animals. All these emotions do is bring about destruction. There is no practical use for them but we society still deems them ok. why don't we rid ourselves of these.

Answer 1

I think these emotions are all variations of the same primal instincts we share with other animals.

Hate is a developed or learned response - we don't come out of the chute with this. I'm not so sure it's an emotion as much as it's a conditioned response. But, in it's most basic form, it's a defense mechanism, based largely on fear. Think about it.

Anger is a normal emotion which criss-crosses the animal kingdom including the all primates, which of course, includes us humans. I've seen it in animal mothers protecting their babies, male animals protecting their territory, and in the human animal, for any perceived threat or insult.

What's different about the human emotion, is the cognitive ability to attach a weight of importance to the situation, enabling us to learn to control this emotion. While the emotion is natural, keeping it in check, and proportionate to the event that caused it, is a learned response. In other words, our response to the emotion can be modified. (Parents are our first teachers in how to handle anger properly.)

Jealousy exists, as well, throughout the animal kingdom. All it really is, is misplaced anger against another who is receiving the attention we want. My personal theory is that jealousy has more to do with a weak self-image and low self esteem, than anything else. Again, humans have the distinct ability to condition their responses. For example, if you find yourself becoming jealous, you can ask yourself what is really so superior about the other person. Chances are, you will find "not much." Everyone shines in their own special way, so maybe the other person shines in a way you wish you could. Well, hell, that's fixable. The real issue is usually that other person is gaining attention you want. So, it's fixable, too, by shining brighter at what you're good at -- and taking a hard look at the person whose attention you are craving. They may not be worth the energy expended on the emotion of jealousy, if they are so easily charmed. At that point, you say "NEXT!"

Now, it's true that these emotions can be destructive. But they don't have to be. Understanding their root causes and deciding whether it's really important enough to get all that excited about, is really within each individual's reach. It's human to experience all of these emotions.

As for practical use, the best I can suggest is that these emotions
somehow release a bit of the beast within each of us. We wouldn't have them, unless they were a necessary part of the mix; think yin and yang, balance. The true issue, therefore, is keeping all the emotions in balance. Control the negatives, and monitor the positives so that neither takes complete control over you.

So ridding ourselves of these emotions is going to be difficult. I'm not sure we should. However, finding a balance, and being aware of which emotion is getting too much exercise, is healthy.

Answer 2

They are definitely in other animals. Their often fights for food among other species. If this is not jealousy it is still a completely egocentric way to live which is the basis for all those negative emotions.
The reason we do rid ourselves of these emotions, i believe, is that we are confused about what will really make us happy, and we rely on our ego. If one would look at the sintuation that is making them feel any negative emotion, then they would see that it is because of their sense of self and them wanting to possess something like an object, status ect... When really one can just see that they are feeling badly and let it go because of the fact that it feels so much better to be happy. It is only logical to feel happy regardless of the sintuation. Though this may sound difficult, through the analyzing of the true nature of the negative feeling, one will come to understand it, and something that is understood makes sense. Once something makes sense to you, it will cease to hurt you.

Answer 3

Animals don't feel these emotions because they don't think the way we do. They act on instinct. It is thinking too much & thinking negatively that causes destructive emotions. Take away the thoughts & the feelings disappear with them. "I think, therefore I am" could be "I think, therefore I feel."

It would be nice to rid ourselves of hate, anger and jealousy. Some people do pretty well stifling them or may not experience them much at all. Others of us struggle with it. (Jealousy is a hard one for me. I tend to be fiercely competitive & endlessly compare myself to others & feel that I come up short. In school I always wanted to be the best. It pushed me to get straight A's & be the top of the class but I was always jealous when someone was better than me. I'm neurotic & think way too much so I can be my own worst enemy! I need to relax! ha ha)

You can choose to be more positive & not let the negative get the better of you. It just takes more effort for some of us.

Answer 4

We should rid ourselves of hate, anger, and jelousy. There can be little or no progress on the path to spiritual enlightenment without ridding ourselves of the parts that do not belong.

Answer 5

Anger, etc. are part of fight-or-flight adrenaline system. It lets you know something is wromg amd yopu either need to fix it or flee from it. It's not a license to act like a fool. Only a signal that you are in danger. Could be unfounded fear, but you are signalled to respond.

Answer 6

Emotions are varied from person to person. You can be happy, sad, antagonistic, etc.

There is a thing called the Tone Scale in Scientology which covers all of the different possible emotions one can be in.

http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/SH4_1.HTM
http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/SH4_2.HTM

Answer 7

Negative emotions like those arrive when our EGO gets too BIG.

Answer 8

its human nature to have these its like losing weight it is hard losing these emotions would be harder get it be nice same as i wish our world was full of nice people who didn't rob us didn't rape didn't kill but it just don't happen its tuff out there

Answer 9

animals do have those emtions