why dont people follow their animal/basic instincts?

Answer 1

They do, that's why there are so many people in prison.

Answer 2

The capacity for reason prevents people from following many of their basic, or animal, instincts. When an animal "makes a decision," it is usually following some sort of instinct which causes it to fulfill its most immediate need first. For instance, a hungry or thirsty animal will attempt to sate that appetite. Obviously, the instinct for self-preservation will cause an animal to delay its gratification until it is safe to do so. For instance, a vulture will wisely let a lion eat its fill before it descends on a carcass

Humans do often follow instinctual needs. On the other hand, we can also prioritize our desires. For instance, let's say I'm standing in a line at the airport. I become extremely thirsty. I know that if I leave the line to get a drink, I will have to start over in line. Thus, I wait until I'm finished at the counter before I take care of my thirst. The reward of getting through the line outweighs the reward of slaking my thirst. Likewise, I may want to play Ben-Hur with the guy trying to cut in front of me on the freeway, but I know that the risks of an accident or a ticket make indulging my anger a bad idea.

There are some exceptions. There are certain diseases, psychiatric conditions, and brain injuries which could cause people to give free reign to their instincts. Addiction and senility are good examples. Likewise, some animals, such as dogs, dolphins, and apes, can be taught to delay one gratification in order to receive a greater reward or avoid punishment.

Answer 3

Because one day some guy went "hey! I don't like these instincts! So i'm going to condemn them! I'm going to say they are moraly wrong!" So then his thoughts poisoned some of the next generation which did the same to more of the next, and so forth. And now we have present day with this illusion that they are bad -.- Obviously we are, by nature, rational creatures. Not only that, but a lot of our instincts were developed from our ancestors that helped them survive. So it must be our own logic that is irrational, because it says we are irrational. Logic doesn't know/understand everything, insticts come from everything :P

Answer 4

Due to american society, the same reason people have their babies cry it out and wean them at just 6mnths. Its not people but the culture american culture states a norm and thats that its black and white there isnt any other way unless you want weird looks and since no one (american culture again) wants that we conform and conforming doesnt involve instinct

Answer 5

we do to a great extent... and as we learned more about our instincts, we used our best judgment to control these to make this world a livable place for all of the humanity.

Chandra A

Answer 6

i guess this is part of social norm and varies at where we live. for eg if we are living in a major city where people generally fight and backstab for a better life, there might be the basic instinct :) but its important to always do what is right, as they are right.

Answer 7

Because we hav 1 thing animalse dont hav and thats the ability to study ourselves, and with that ability we came up with the grand idea that we want 2 b better.

Answer 8

We do. That is why people still mate, eat, drink and sleep. Remember, man still has the reptilian brain under all that so-called higher reasoning in the neo cortex.

Answer 9

Because they develop under a culture

Answer 10

Seems to me with all the immoral things that are happening, that is exactly what people are following.

Answer 11

With many things, people do. For instance, when in extreme pain, people do things, rational or irrational, to escape that pain.

C