Quote:
Originally Posted by Clodfobble
You are not grasping the reality of how normal people think (into which category you already know you do not fall.)
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People do not make a conscious decision to be destructive. A destructive attitude occurs when higher level (cognitive) intelligence fail to control more primitive brain functions that create emotions. Primitive brain functions are less controlled in children and in lower level species. Since these do not have a fully functional pre-frontal cortex that makes possible cognitive (high level) decisions and controls emotions.
Emotional (impulse) and logical (cognitive) thoughts come from two completely different brain functions. An adult develops a pre-frontal cortex that performs higher level decisions. An adult is responsible for and required by society to control emotions using that pre-frontal cortex. An adult who lets his emotions (primitive brain functions) rule may act contrary to what he would otherwise cognitively want. Two completely different brain functions are at play.
I do not intend to kill someone. But racing down the street recklessly (for a cheap thrill or by being drunk), I kill someone. My intent, due to my actions, was to kill someone. I did not race down the street because my cognitive brain wants to kill. That need (to drive recklessly) comes from a more primitive part. I impede and do not use higher level brain functions. I am held responsible for not using the brain that adults are required to use.
Emotions is 'live for the minute'. Adults control those primitive brain functions by using the cognitive brain.
In responsible adults, a pre-frontal cortex must rule over lower level functions - emotions. The process of becoming an adult is to train and develop a pre-frontal cortex to controls emotions and desires. Otherwise that person is anti-social; entertains impulses such as fear, cheap thrills, or an emotional gratification of smoking. He does not smoke to be destructive. He smokes because the other brain wants that gratification.
Rape is another example. A rapist is not making a cognitive decision to rape and cause harm. A rapist lets his emotions rule. He stops using a part of his brain that adults are required to use. His pre-frontal cortex does not take control of primitive functions - as required by society to be an adult. You may assume he is making a cognitive decision to rape. He is not. He does not control impulses. He chooses to be lazy; not use brain functions that adults are required to use. The cognitive brain defines an adult. And separates an adult from a child.
Why is smoking so common where people drink alcohol - where higher level brain functions are impeded?
Adults must not let primitive brain functions run free. Unfortunately, some adults do that. Let lower level brain functions (emotion, impulse, desires, gratification) manipulate them. May even post a cheap shot as you have done.
Most people do not understand how or why they act. A process of becoming a more responsible adult is to learn how to better control emotions. To ignore anything that creates anger or to suppress that emotion. To not make decisions based on impulses. Destructive behavior is an adult acting like a child - letting primitive brain functions run free. If something makes you angry, then why let childish (primitive) emotions control you? Becoming more adult is to grasp realities while controlling (or even manipulating) primitive emotions.