So many questions, so little time......
Is it possible to control the mental factors of one's self which are otherwise genetically determined?
Is it possible to control the psychological traits of one's self gained from one's experience?
If someone else can control another's mind wouldn't it be more likely that one can control their own mind?
Are we doomed to live out our lives as genetics determines us to be, or can a person be different from what their body dictates them to be.
And would it be moralistic to allow a person to control one's self, or suggest that it is possible?
Alrighty then
Moderator: Moderators
Alrighty then
Post #1'Belief is never giving up.'- Random footy adverisement.
Sometimes even a wise man is wrong. Sometimes even a fool is right.
Sometimes even a wise man is wrong. Sometimes even a fool is right.
Post #2
I'll give fairly short answer for now, and elaborate as we go. I think all of these questions can provide for some interesting debate.
If I am left-handed, I cannot change my brain to make myself right-handed. I might be able to train myself to use my right hand (almost) as well as my left.
Again, particular examples would help. We cannot make ourselves 'not blonde' if that is what we are except by artificial means. WE cannot easily (or even completely?) change genders, except by (what I would consider anyway) extremely radical measures.
If we have a genetic pre-disposition for diabetes, we can manage that. For other genetic diseases, there may be very little we can do.
For example, it used to be a common practice in some areas of the world for people to 'control' how their body grew, for example, by binding their feet or heads or other body parts to make them grow into a certain shape, or restrict the extent of their growth. To suggest that this practice is not wise I would not classify as being 'moralistic' necessarily. To allow this practice might be considered 'moralistic' if it was done for a religious purpose.
I think I need a little help on exactly what you mean, but my tentative answer is that it depends on the particular mental factor.Scorpia wrote:Is it possible to control the mental factors of one's self which are otherwise genetically determined?
If I am left-handed, I cannot change my brain to make myself right-handed. I might be able to train myself to use my right hand (almost) as well as my left.
I would give a tentative yes, with the caveat that there might be limits on how much control can be exerted. It might be helpful to clarify what you mean by control, and whether this means the same as 'change of behavior'.Is it possible to control the psychological traits of one's self gained from one's experience?
Agreed.If someone else can control another's mind wouldn't it be more likely that one can control their own mind?
In most cases no. However, I look at genetics not as strict determiners, but rather as 'setters of parameters' or 'providing tendencies and limits.'Are we doomed to live out our lives as genetics determines us to be, or can a person be different from what their body dictates them to be.
Again, particular examples would help. We cannot make ourselves 'not blonde' if that is what we are except by artificial means. WE cannot easily (or even completely?) change genders, except by (what I would consider anyway) extremely radical measures.
If we have a genetic pre-disposition for diabetes, we can manage that. For other genetic diseases, there may be very little we can do.
I would say in most cases not. Again, it depends on the particulars.And would it be moralistic to allow a person to control one's self, or suggest that it is possible?
For example, it used to be a common practice in some areas of the world for people to 'control' how their body grew, for example, by binding their feet or heads or other body parts to make them grow into a certain shape, or restrict the extent of their growth. To suggest that this practice is not wise I would not classify as being 'moralistic' necessarily. To allow this practice might be considered 'moralistic' if it was done for a religious purpose.
