How would you define instinct, urge and desire ... how are they different from each other, if at all?

Answer 1

the difference lies in the period of time that it survives . Desire lasts the longests, urge shorter and instinct for the shortest time.

It was because of instinct that I replied to you. I had the urge to help people solve their quetions whenever I pen the net.

It has always been my desire to help a needy.

Answer 2

As I thought about this the first think that came to mind was a newborn - all they have is instincts as I think of it and an analogy came to mind. The analogy is crass, I know that, but I think its also immediately understandable as well. Here goes.

Newborns have an INSTINCT to suckle mom's breast. Put a newborn on mom's chest and that newborn will suckle - they aren't choosing to really - they don't have to learn how to suck, they are just born with that ability.

Straight adult men, after the hormones have kicked in DESIRE to have their head buried in the chest of the woman they love. As sexual creatures (men and women alike), we desire sexual activity.

This is why guys and girls check each other out - guys get in trouble for it though because its hard to get away with looking at someone's chest. Women get away with it because its easy to not get caught staring at a guys butt. No different really, but to continue...

When their head is close to the naked breasts of the woman they love, they have an URGE to bury their head in there. Hopefully the man has enough sense, self respect and most respect for her to control that urge until the proverbial bedroom.

Again, crass, but immediately understandable..

I think instinct is its own thing. Desire and urges are closely related. Desire is more of a constant I think and an urge is the compulsion to fulfill that desire when the opportunity presents itself.

On the other hand, maybe they are all just different aspects of the same thing - maybe the desire to fulfill an urge is how instinct manifests in the mind.

No, I am NOT suggesting or supporting any argument or other such nonsense that men are big babies that are looking for their mothers because they like boobs - I can sort of predict that one coming - lol

Answer 3

These three concepts, while completely separate from one another, can intertwine as one. Animalistic instincts that has been in our blood since we became bi-pedal hominids have moved us forward as far as survival goes. However, urges came somewhat afterwards. An urge can be defined as wanting something for personal stimulus, whereas instinct is wanting something for survival. Desire is pretty much the same as urges, except that it is more or less the hope for an urge to come true. An desire does not have to be fulfilled to make one happy; there are several ways around this. One's desires can vary from person to person, whereas an urge is a feeling that one must do something to feel fulfilled. Instinct, on the other hand, is something that cannot be stopped. It all goes together with the id, ego and superego. Instinct is the id, acting purely unconsciously and usually without hinderence. An urge can be associated with the ego, as it is not so much acting on itself, but a wanting of something for obvious reasons of personal fulfillment. The desire, however, is associated with the superego, fulfilling the urge for something completely unassociated with the actual fulfillment of the urge itself. For example, it is instinct to kill an animal for nutritional sustenence. It is an urge to kill an animal (especially in modern days where personally killing an animal is not necessary) for sustenance and personal gain to prove one's animalistic instincts. The actual desire to kill an animal is to prove to society that one can act on impulses and urges and overcome a fear of feminimity in men. So:
Instinct - Nutrition
Urge - Nutrition and Sociological Placement
Desire - Sociological Placement.

Answer 4

Instinct is human nature
urge and desire are almost the same with the exception that urge is more of a want and desire is more of a fantasy.

Answer 5

It's an instinct to feel thirsty, the desire makes you take a drink, and the urge then pees it out.

Answer 6

instinct natural. you can not stop , hide, remove instinct.

urge the flufillment of instinct in a unruly manner, without wisdom.

desire is to fulfill the instinct in a civilized, wisdom ful way.

Answer 7

Instinct is an unconscious action;
Urge is a conscious action
Desire is a contagious action!!

Answer 8

Instinct , impulse, habit... in the order, occurs..
The instinct is biological.
Urge is after we become habituated.
Desire is out of judgement, with what ever memories of sensations, its experience , calculations etc.

Answer 9

"Instinct" is "inherent capability" -- as in, babies have an instinct to suckle; they don't have to be trained.

"Urge" is "compulsion" -- as in, the urge for a cigarette.

"Desire" is "wish" -- as in, I desire a pizza.

Cheers, mate.

Answer 10

This is a good Q. We are defined by our desires and accomplishments. Mainly accomplishments. {star}