I would say no, as instincts are just the concept that the human psyche is divided into parts. Parts of what though? The WHOLE. So instincts don't really exist, it's just a matter of gravitating towards survival.
We are what we are and thus the only way can continue being is if we continue being, which means procreating. We always choose to reproduce, whether we are a dog a horse or a human. Nothing 'forces' us to do anything, as control is an illusion.
Control is an illusion because if you can control your own fate, then anyone else can control YOUR fate as well.
Your thoughts?
2007-09-19 09:05:51 · 8 answers · asked by Josh 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Instinct is an argument that humans frequently use to avoid responsibility for actions and choices.
For each of the behaviours that are consider instinctual, for example, a newborn of many species that "know" how to suckle and receive nourishment, there are also those offspring who do not know and die of starvation. Anyone familiar with pets who have had litters can attest that some newborns lack this ability.
Instincts are generally argued as something that we have no control over. We have so much control over our behaviour, but it is great if we can just chalk it up to our instincts.
2007-09-19 11:08:53 · answer #1 · answered by guru 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with you about the psyche being a whole. But I also believe that we can tap in or tune in to certain parts of it.
Sex is more complicated than that. We don't have control over sexual orientation, and gay people don't procreate. In this day and age, overpopulation is by far the larger threat to our survival.
Also, we can -- and often do -- choose not to listen to what our instincts tell us. Having instinct doesn't mean that we always obey it.
Just my 2 cents.
2007-09-19 16:24:05 · answer #2 · answered by Diana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A PIANO IS FLYING AT YOU AT A SPEED OF 500 MILES PER HOUR! what do you do? move in instinct or in slow and controlled movements attempt to get out of the way?
instinct is part of what we are. you remember those old story's about the kids raised by animals with no human contact? they were often found with the ability to walk despite never in memory seeing a human. it is part of us. stuff that helped us survive the prehistoric times became part of us one that we cant control.
but that's just what i think...sry if i don't answer your question right but you weren't to clear...
2007-09-19 16:27:05 · answer #3 · answered by Chaos 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep reading and thinking. Your in a stream of consciousness here and your premises are not well defined. Your conclusions do not necessarily follow from the premises. Don't give up. Start more simply. Read the Ion by Plato to get a feel for dialectic. Keep thinking.
2007-09-19 16:17:20 · answer #4 · answered by Sowcratees 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe that instinct is there, however it is something that is taught. Taught by experience that is. However it is possible to control them although the task is hard. Your right nothing forces us to do anything but we do react to some things because of our own experience.
2007-09-19 17:26:47 · answer #5 · answered by The Lone Trumpeter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instincts, No. Intuition, Yes.
2007-09-19 16:19:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do.....it is sth that happens we can't control it ,we just feel it...it's a gift we have..and it comes from the subconscious...i don't think it is an illusion cuzz we can tell sth before it happens so we had the instinct .....
(it is a natural intuitive power,or an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species)
search the definition on net.....!
2007-09-19 16:15:52 · answer #7 · answered by joanna s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whatever
2007-09-19 16:15:24 · answer #8 · answered by melsatar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋