Are instincts the best guide to follow?

Question

Thanks to all your answers. Have a great day!

Answer 1

I have heard about the collaboration between fungi and trees in the rain forests of South East Asia. Where finer root tentacles of trees extend like filaments to link up to fungal colonies underground. This collaboration, or link up, wherever it takes place, is said to be so vital for both species that they depend on it for their survival. It is strange that they recognize a mutually beneficial purpose, recognize each other as partners, and then find a way to communicate; the fungi churn rotting forest stuff into its constituent minerals that trees need, and tree in turn also do something good for the fungi. Now how does this happen? How do trees become aware of an entirely different species in their vicinity, and how do fungi learn to respond to the trees of just one particular type without a brain?

And then you might like to think that flowers are there to gladden your heart, and to please your senses; the fact is that they are not. Flowers are nothing more and nothing less than highly purposeful and efficient workers for their plants - a thought might bemuse you here that if flowers were the first to work in beauty industry, but that is merely be a quirk in human mind, inducing a lighter mood. But how would you capture these tendencies in the mind through instinctive knowledge. There is nothing quite like human nature in the general nature of all things: plants, insects and animal have their peculiar forms, their specific functions highly defined and making them just adequately awareness of their environment.

Instinctive intelligence is what we all should learn the use of in our live but this is all that we need to what we are, peculiarly human. This first thing to consider here is that to be aware is also natural to human beings as it is in other life forms, but it is also human to be aware of a higher mind, its higher needs and concerns. We are just as much generally natured as we are physically minded and the rest is all exclusively peculiar to our human nature. It is most natural to us to have instincts rooted in our environment to detect opportunities or to sense dangers, but we cannot use our instincts as the only call. We need to figure out how to best make good of what could is merely animalistic without disregarding what is essentially human.

It is therefore possible for many of us to choose flight instead of fight in threatening or dangerous situations, but many of us at the same time would like fight against their instincts. Human history is full of such instances of struggle and glory, and such instances are not etched in gold upon marble, but were written with blood, fire and iron, with very human courage and fortitude. When we sacrifice something for something of higher value in our mind we set ourselves a noble cause, and then we overrule our physical instincts, and express grandeur of an elevated nature, then we learn to listen to an entirely different type of instinct - ideally I would call it the instinct divine.

Answer 2

Instincts are the best guide for animals. As humans we have a better choice because we are capable to develop a level that goes beyond mind and emotions and that is 'intuition'. Most humans still follow their instincts, because they are identified with their properties: Body, mind and emotions and so they defend themselves to survive with their established 'personality' and this behavior belongs still to the instinct, causing then all the disappointment and suffering... There is a long way to go for most people to find guidance from within, not following just their needs or wishes and not depending on outside authorities or given concepts and belief systems. How to develop 'intuition' will be another interesting question...
BeiYin

Answer 3

Some people have the gift of fine tuned instincts, others don't have a clue what is going on. I for one go by my "gut instincts". Sometimes I try to ignore them, but that usually gets me into trouble. Typically, women, because they are more aware of their emotions, have great instincts. This is not always the case, but generally speaking I have found through the years to be true. I can walk into a room and feel the energy and know in my "spirit" or instinctively, if there is negative energy or positive; I contribute this to years of experience interacting with people. Have you ever met someone that you feel very uneasy with the minute you meet them? This is our radar system . . . . .aka, instinct.

Answer 4

Right...I'd say 90% of the time yes because we would have gone in a cirlce thousands of times if I hadn't followed my instinct. I would have failed half my science modules if I hadn't followed my instinct. There are many things I can think of within my life that could have gone wrong if I hadn't followed my instinct. The only times it's wrong is when it comes to relationships and love..¬__¬

Answer 5

No. It depends, actually. Are you talking about sensing whether a person is good or not? I would go with instincts. Are you talking about being in a jungle? I would probably say instincts again. Or are you talking about where to go in life? I would say no. It would require a lot of hard work, failures, disappointments, and wisdom--probably also needing ocassional instincts.

Answer 6

Our instincts are formed from what we've been taught by our parents, teachers, friends and experiences. They are the best guide to follow as long as you trust them. This is a great question.

Answer 7

If you want to live like a dog, yes, instincts are good for naked survival. If you want to live like a human then you must develop a mind that utilizes greater faculties beyond instincts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Maslow

Maslow hierarchy
Main article: Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Diagram of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, represented as a pyramid with more primitive needs at the bottom.Maslow's primary contribution to psychology is his Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow contended that humans have a number of needs that are instinctoid, that is, innate. These needs are classified as "conative needs," "cognitive needs," and "aesthetic needs." "Neurotic needs" are included in Maslow's theory but do not exist within the hierarchy.

Maslow postulated that needs are arranged in a hierarchy in terms of their potency. Although all needs are instinctive, some are more powerful than others. The lower the need is in the pyramid, the more powerful it is. The higher the need is in the pyramid, the weaker and more distinctly human it is. The lower, or basic, needs on the pyramid are similar to those possessed by non-human animals, but only humans possess the higher needs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Maslow

Answer 8

Heck no.
Here are some instances where using education, science, common sense, or simply asking, are better than using gut feeling.


1. Finding a house in a remote area without a map.
2. Making a decision between choosing a big or small turkey for thanksgiving.
3. Dressing warmly or not
4. mixing clothes colors
5. Buying clothes for other people. You last saw them 2 years ago

Answer 9

Instincts are the best guide for Primates. Thought, especially forethought, is the best guide for humans.

Answer 10

Bearing in mind that instincts have evolved over many thousands of years from our primitive past and some might not settle to well with modern day living

Answer 11

Instincts are good to a point....but without knowledge and understanding, coupled with wisdom..the intuitive part of man can also get you into trouble as well....and lead you astray.... "Peace!" (You will have nothing for your instincts to guide you by...)