The decider is the ego

coberst · Post by **coberst** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:36 pm

The decider is the ego

Humans appear to be the only species of animal that has placed self-consciousness, in the form of what is called the ego, between animal instincts and animal behavior. That is, the ego interrupts the flow of instinct directly into action. The ego, the decider, says HALT, HOLD IT, to the force of instinct. Human action does not immediately follow instinct because the ego absorbs the energy of instinct.

The ego is also a decider regarding all manner of things that might cause the creature to feel anxious. As the ego learns what causes anxiety it learns what inputs from both inside and outside the creature must be controlled. The ego becomes both the decider and the defender.

In its role as defender the ego utilizes the mechanisms of denial, repression, and partialization. The latter represents the highest price that the creature pays for this defense against anxiety. The process of partialization limits the experience that the ego allows the creature to enjoy.

“The ego, the unique “psychological organ of the higher primates, develops by skewing perceptions and by limiting action. Early in the infants life the “ego grows by a dispossession of the child’s own inner world. The mechanisms of defense are, after all, par excellence techniques of self-deception.

We often lament that “I can’t make him change his mind. Why is it virtually impossible to change another’s mind? Often it is because the ego will not allow it. The ego recognizes that to change the mind in this matter is to lead to anxiety and thus the ego will not permit it to happen.

THEY are not necessarily too stupid to change, just as WE are not necessarily too stupid to change. It may very well be that their ego and our ego will not permit the anxiety that will result from the change.

Perhaps this is one reason for such strong anti-intellectualism and negative bias against psychology in America. The ego controls such things so as to reduce a cause for anxiety in the individual.

Mia · Post by **Mia** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:09 pm

I am not that up myself that I will not admit that I am wrong at times.Then I don't have a super ego,I am just human

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:34 pm

Stuff like this has always been interesting to me. I like to read and do a little study on human nature an psyphology once in awhile. It helps me better understand myself and others.

:)

.

laneybug · Post by **laneybug** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:10 pm

coberst;704788 wrote:

We often lament that “I can’t make him change his mind. Why is it virtually impossible to change another’s mind?

Why would one really want to "make" someone change their mind? Is it not enough to have control over one's own mind? Is that not enough responsibility in and of itself? Do we really even need to try assuming responsibility for another's mental activity? And for what purpose?

coberst · Post by **coberst** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 4:40 am

laneybug;705427 wrote: Why would one really want to "make" someone change their mind? Is it not enough to have control over one's own mind? Is that not enough responsibility in and of itself? Do we really even need to try assuming responsibility for another's mental activity? And for what purpose?

Louis Armstrong, the great jazz player, responded to the question 'what is jazz' with the answer 'If you gotta ask you can not understand".

Devonin · Post by **Devonin** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:09 pm

Then Louis Armstrong should and would have failed any class in logic and argumentation, and had a rough time of any philosophy course at all.

If you can't answer the question, the reason is that you can't answer the question.

WHether we would understand/agree with your answer, and the evidence you present to back up your answer isn't relevant to the fact that "I -could- tell you but I don't think you'd understand" in the context of a philosophy forum means only two possible things:

1/ I think you're a moron, so I won't waste my time explaining

or

2/ I actually have no way at all to support my statement, so I'm going to refuse to answer

In both instances, you have no business whatsoever claiming to know the first thing about how to discuss, debate, engage in logical and rational discourse, or frankly, relate to people who are not constantly agreeing with you despite no reason to do so.

laneybug · Post by **laneybug** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 5:21 pm

coberst;705519 wrote: Louis Armstrong, the great jazz player, responded to the question 'what is jazz' with the answer 'If you gotta ask you can not understand".

I'm not asking what something is, I'm asking why you think the way you do about that something. I wouldn't even begin to assume I understand your logic and reasoning... hence the question, which still deserves an answer.

In the context of this conversation, I don't give a flying hoot about what Louis Armstrong has to say.

cinamin · Post by **cinamin** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:59 pm

I enjoyed reading that. I have known a lot of people with huge egos.

cinamin · Post by **cinamin** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:28 pm

:-2:-3

Devonin · Post by **Devonin** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:34 am

The thing I find ironic about this thread is that Coberst, who has so far refused to address a single one of my objections to his statements and opinions, who has steadfastly refused to bend even slightly when his beliefs are called into question, would make a thread criticizing people who are unwilling to change their mind.

Also, mid-way through his post he seems to just arbitrarily switch between the two meanings of the word 'ego' for no readily apparant reason.

coberst · Post by **coberst** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:29 am

magenta flame;705893 wrote: Okay I'm in a bit of pain right now and have taken some prescription drugs.

So all I'm gunna say right now is

I love you man

will that bring your sweet little attitude to rest for the time being?

No really I luv ya ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and you should be honoured cause I don't luv a lot of people

If your love is directed at me I am honored and I do appreciate it much. It is rare when I receive such an accolade. Generally I get only hecklers.

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:06 am

magenta flame;705918 wrote: It's to everybody, but especially to you and this devinin guy, bloke, and so forth.

sorry it was talking of ego and not agreeing and I thought that 's really cool because someone is going to insist on not having their mind changed and argue the point. I'm deeply sorry I find the humour in that, it's just too delightful.

Oh coberst I do love you ! and yes I mean that :-6

I'm so pleased I got that too, does that make me smart like you Mags

:wah::-3

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:17 am

magenta flame;705929 wrote: Smart like me? Dumb like me? take your pick:wah: My ego can't decide. maybe you can help?

i am on meds though so I loooooooooooooooove eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverybody. :-4

:wah:

Your just so loveable at times, normally when drugged or drunk but we lurves you too :-4

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:23 am

SuzyB;705930 wrote: :wah:

Your just so loveable at times, normally when drugged or drunk but we lurves you too :-4

I may just have to agree with you there.........

but then again can I

:wah:

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:34 am

magenta flame;705935 wrote: Betty...... Suzy.............. use the EGO! ..............The EGO is with you !. Come over to the EGO side.

Okay I promise I'm going to bed now I'm done now . nigh nigh :-4:D:o is that my quota of smiliiesssss I've done up now?

before you go............ who said that?? :wah:

Devonin · Post by **Devonin** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:38 pm

that 's really cool because someone is going to insist on not having their mind changed and argue the point. I'm deeply sorry I find the humour in that

I haven 't seen anybody do this yet, so I'm not sure why you find the thread to be so funny.

laneybug · Post by **laneybug** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:14 pm

Devonin;706125 wrote: I haven 't seen anybody do this yet, so I'm not sure why you find the thread to be so funny.

Uh, yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking about posting.