Instinct... Do you agree or disagree with this?

Question

Thoughts on this:

Habits can be broken, even if they appear to be second nature, as all habits can be broken. However, instincts cannot be broken. Instincts can be denied, yes, but not permantly removed, they will always lie somewhere within, whether you are aware of this or not.

Why do you agree or disagree?

thorough detailed, reflective answers are appreciated..thanks

Answer 1

I agree with this. Our instincts are innate. Our natural sex drive, our natural drive to run from something dangerous. Our natural drive to be angry when someone hurts us intentionally and our natural protectiveness toward those we love. These are things we can try to deny ourselves, but when it comes down to it - we can never be rid of them.

This is why I don't get some religious doctrine. I can understand the practice of *temporarily* denying our sex drive, hunger, or anger or whatnot. But we cannot deny these things for a lifetime without having our instinctive nature come back and bite us in the rear. The fact is we have these drives and they can't be ignored without harming the whole of our being. So instead of denying them, I believe we should feed them in a healthy and responsible manner. Yes, even anger.

Answer 2

I agree to a certain point. If though humans have some of the same instincts as other animal life on the planet, our aggressiveness, territoriality, our willingness to blindly follow leaders. But also have our intellect and our soaring passion to learn. We have thought and logic and we should use them more. We have to adapt, and adapting to a ever changing world is key to survival. It's time for our minds to adapt.

Steven Hawking said that "Our instincts are getting in the way of our intelligence"

Answer 3

I agree that instincts cannot be removed permanently. I rely on my instincts a lot because my brain sometimes does not work the way it should thanks to age. A lot of times, I thought I have forgotten to close the garage door. After turning around and checking, I found out that I did close the door. Thanks to my instincts at the last second, the door is closed and the garage is safe.

Answer 4

Instincts can be broken, too. For example, flinching is an instinct. However, with training, you can learn to avoid flinching. This is useful in some jobs where concentration is more important than reacting to sudden noises.

Even animals can be taught to control their instincts. To use the flinching example again, police horses are taught not to react to gun shots.

Answer 5

i never really thought of it that way but yes i do agree with that

instincts are basically things we have since birth (which means they are always there) a habit is something we acquire sometime in life. (that it can be broken and thrown away)

Answer 6

I disagree habits can of course be broken. But instinct is s fantasy. There is no such thing as instinct. You have five senses all knowledge comes through these five senses. Instinct is just a fantasy. I have been told that Animals have instinct or a sixth sense, But I don't believe that either. They only have keener five senses than humans.

Answer 7

The problem with instinct is we do not follow them or we ignore them or don't even recognize it. Yes, I agree

Answer 8

Instinct cannot be "removed" because it will reside in memory. But it can be effectively destroyed. This is called enlightenment.

Answer 9

It's important to listen to instinct

Answer 10

My first instinct is to disagree. But now that I think about it, maybe your right. No. On second thought, my gut tells me you've got to be wrong. At least I think so....theBerean