Can you be born lazy?

Question

I am truly serious here. And just what constitutes laziness?

Answer 1

Chronic fatigue, believe it or not, can be an illness (or a symptom of an illness). So, yes a person can be born "lazy."

I don't really like that word "lazy," because it makes it sound elective... many "lazy" people turn out to have a hormonal problem, blood problems or they have imbalanced brain chemicals which causes the laziness. If a person is lazy have them go see a doctor - I'd bet you'd find something physiologically that causes the laziness.

A great example of chronic fatigue is chronic fatigue syndrome (which, as the name implies, has chronic fatigue as the primary symptom). Check out the links below if interested.

Answer 2

I think you're onto something with this question. To me there are two possible contributors to "perceived lazy behavior." One is, indeed genetic. The other is learned and is related to values and attitudes.

The genetic factor has to do with what brain scientists call "reticular activation," which is the degree of intensity of brain activity. The source is the brain stem, where waking and sleeping are coordinated. When awake, our brains are "activated"...but to what degree. It varies with the individual, depending on their brain stem. Some people are very high-energy during the day, very action-oriented and communicative. Others are more lethargic. And in between. This factor can contribute to a manner of behavior that could be seen as "ambitious" or "lazy."

The values/attitudes component has to do with whether a person values hard work, a person's thoughts about how hard he or she should work. Behavior patterns such as initiative, persistence, etc. would be manifest if the right values were there. If not, it would look more like laziness. Values and attitudes are, of course, learned.

I hope this adds to your perspective about laziness. What an interesting question!

Answer 3

All beings are born lazy .. in so far as organisms will attempt to achieve as much as possible with the least amount of effort.

Truly "lazy" behaviour (idleness) is generally learned... there are many animals which will use the efforts of others to further their own ends (nest building, food gathering, cleaning, etc)...

It is a necessary trait for survival ... but this is where semantics take over ... is "being lazy" an unwillingness toward effort, or is it simply an expedient, given the prevailing circumstances?

... e.g. If you can get away with someone else laundering your clothes, why would you want to do your own laundry?

.. but if nobody would do your laundry, would you leave it undone forever?

Answer 4

Yes, laziness is just one of those characteristics that some people have and some don't. I would say laziness means never being bothered to do anything even if it helps or makes life easier for others.

Answer 5

I don't think that your born lazy, I think it is bred into you. If you live in a family that you never have to lift a finger from the get go then of course you are going to be lazy. Just think how lazy you would be if you didn't have to do chores, didn't have to clean your room.

Answer 6

I would say yes, but it is more a learnt condition.
The most amazing technological inventions were made by lazy people. Lazy people who didn't want to walk or ride a horse invented cars and airplanes.
Lazy people who didn't want to write letters invented the telephone. The human condition leans itself to a life of leisure. Therefore although we are passionate about our favourite hobbies and pastimes, passionate about our children, arts, music dancing etc, when it comes to doing anything laborious we are lazy and invent machines to do these for us.

So yes, humainty leans towards laziness. Naturally.

Answer 7

Parents in effect teach their children to be lazy in two ways:
1. By waiting on a child hand and foot.
2. By being a naggy parent and pushing a child into being active, which a child instinctively will refuse to do.

Answer 8

Laziness is unwillingness to take the responsibility to work without being told. Everyone is born lazy and has to be taught to take responsibility. It is part of growing up.

Answer 9

You can't be born lazy, its all on how you are raised as a child. If you are raised to believe that laziness is ok, then your gonna be lazy, but if you are told that being lazy is gonna get you no where, then you won't be so lazy. :)

Answer 10

yes, but the posibility of being born lazy is very small, mostly laziness depends on the envaroment you live in and the envaroment you've grown in!