Do you believe that anger is an innate human emotion?

Question

Innate defined as: Suggesting something deeply imprinted, & not easily eradicated. Or you do believe humans have the choice, by discipline, practice or nature to choose more positive alternatives to their feelings (or actions)?

txkathidy: To respond, & behave wisely is not being a doormat. S: The question is not flawed in that anger is indisputably a negative "feeling" & if one did not "feel" it, there would be no need to make choices about the consequences of subsequent actions. To "react" to something IS natural; how we decide to cope with the cause of our reaction, that is,searching for ways to overcome whatever problem, difficulty or disagreement encountered, is a PERSONAL choice. The % noted by Gunny T doesn't address the question, & the assumption that it is a permanent part & parcel is simply untrue. bily7001: It is a false premise that to "erase" one (destructive if only to oneself) emotion will upset the equilibrium, for the mind is indeed complex, & constantly re-thinks, keeping oneself in harmony. If our DNA was carved in stone, we'd never experience or grow.

coca_chup has so far given the most thoughtful, reasonable (i.e., based on the value of reason) answer. I couldn't dispute the last 2 paragraphs. I believe, (& have seen) positive change can be accomplished without anger & is far more effective.

To FRANKIE BEGOOD --perhaps it's a matter of semantics. You write "..more positive actions" ..well I believe that's what I meant, & we might very well agree!

Answer 1

The human emotion of anger is an action, something chosen not something inbuilt or something 'automatic'. To be angry is an action in response to a stimulus, a personal choice in response to an encounter with a thing, person or event which forces us to respond. If we choose anger at every occurrence of any stimulus then it could be said thus, but this is not the case generally.

That said, our mind set at the time of the event will determine our response at that time. To change a mind set or a method of thinking takes serious effort and concentration if a different outcome is required. Humans are very good at repetative learning. Repeated action for given stimuli is the reason for the requirement for concentrated effort if a different response is wanted to a given stimulus. The choices we make in Life are determined by our experiences and humans are generally lazy enough to take the short cut rather than go the scenic route if you will, using prelearned 'skills' as a quick fix to a situation.

We as humans do have a choice in any interaction we encounter. By disciplined practise and concentrated effort, prelearned responses can be unlearned and new and perhaps better responses installed if you will. Of course with repetative practise a thought process of positive thought rather than action would be a preferable alternative. After all it is always preferable to think before we act. Of course this is the reason why there is suffering, most folks do the opposite.

There are always positive alternatives, we only have to think of them to be able to choose one. It makes the choice easier if we think of ways to enhance another's stance in the first instance rather than chosing a choice for our own benefit, the alternatives available then are almost limitless.

Peace...from a Buddhist..in the season of joy...

Answer 2

No. I do not believe that anger is an innate human trait. However, our ability to sense fear and our emotions are innate traits.

Anger is not a trait in itself, it's an emotion, just like sadness, frustration, happiness, etc.) Anger is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes anger is the catalyst for a positive change.

I am assuming that you are questioning anger that results in violence. I would say that choice would be the answer but it really depends on the individual sense of "choice". All we have is what we are taught, what we see and what we experience. To use violence as an outlet for anger depend on the individuals exposure to that choice being previously made and to alternative choices.

The cure for violence is education. Education opens up a world of opportunity (not just financial, but social as well). The larger your world is the more experience you will have, meaning more choices.

Answer 3

no one is teaching us feelings, any feelings, so we must have them from birth, thus they are written in our DNA. nature does not leave nothing to chance so all feelings have a purpose.

Mind is a very complex tool and it is powerful enough to overwrite feelings. But there are no good-bad feelings. If one decide to erase his feelings must erase all of them: hate, love, anger, hope, lust, envy, compassion... all. It will erase a piece of himself and most people think that piece define them. Erasing only some feelings will destroy mind equilibrium and make the person a poppet. Mind control techniques are based on this.

Answer 4

your very question is flawed. Youre assuming that anger is bad, where instead its ones actions that are good or bad. Its how we CHOSE to react to stimuli that is good or bad as a CHOICE. But being angry is natural. Its not the emotions we need to "eradicate". Its the negative choices we make when we chose to react to the anger. Thats what we need to focus on. For our choices have consequences.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter how many high caliber social scientists, psycho-manipulators, or religious scholars say otherwise... 20% of the Homosapien population are genetically predisposed to choke the crap out of somebody pi$$ing them off... No amount of educated peanut butter and jelly can change that. It is an absolute permenant part and parcel of the human behavior Gnome.

Answer 6

i believe it is in the dna, for survival.i also believe it can be controlled by your suggestions of: choice,discipline, practice, nature. i chose more positive actions. abc= always be in control.
happy new year!

edit: i have no delusion of being anywhere close to your plain. but, yes we agree!

Answer 7

YES!!!

A healthy one at that. If you never get mad at event around you, you're a doormat.