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Post by Oliveman on Nov 5, 2007 20:02:15 GMT -5
Here's an intriguing question:
To what extent is someone truely in control of their thoughts? And, that considered, what's the gradation of control someone can have?
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Post by dangerjane on Nov 5, 2007 21:42:39 GMT -5
I don't think most of us are in much control at all. Because of our subconscious. We can consciously pursue trains of thought, sure, but the subconscious is the part that just bursts out with the crazy stuff.
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Post by Oliveman on Nov 10, 2007 18:18:32 GMT -5
Ah, but, too - think about the act of trying to control what we dream. They do relate in some respects.
But even the "controllable" conscious - how much control do we really have over that?
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Kyle
Full Member
~~~~~ Trust Beyond See ~~~~~ "One light will tear apart the night"
Posts: 204
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Post by Kyle on Nov 10, 2007 18:47:33 GMT -5
I can control my dreams.
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Post by dangerjane on Nov 12, 2007 12:56:37 GMT -5
I didn't say you couldn't control dreams...I've had lucid dreams before, too. Just that I think most of our thoughts are outside of control. You know..."Don't think about pink elephants..."
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Post by Oliveman on Nov 12, 2007 15:32:58 GMT -5
Well some would argue that it's inevitable that you have the thoughts you have. Basically, you have no control and any control you try to impose is inevitable as well.
Of course, I object strongly to that reasoning.
Something I came up with was "If all thoughts are inevitable, then the idea of questioning yourself is the best thought you ever could've stumbled upon"
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Post by eliflauta on Nov 12, 2007 19:31:33 GMT -5
Well, controlling thoughts is like controlling coincidences. If you believe in a God or eternal force or what have you, you might say "That was NOT a coincidence! It happened for a reason that I will never ever understand!", or if you are an atheist or doubt God's omnipotence, you might say "Heeeey, what a koinkidink!" And who's to say who's right? Maybe everything is preordained, or caused by a pattern or purpose, or maybe it's all a big ol' pinball machine. It could even be a combination. Likewise, thinking might be a phenomenal clash of electric impulses in the brain that just happen to give you the correct answer on your history test, or it might be your ability really to be in charge of your brain. Also, there are many kinds of thoughts, like "I think I'll eat cheese today", which is arguably a perfectly controlled thought, and there are reactions to things like "OhmigodIjusthitanothercarmyparentsaregoingtokillme", which is probably not you consciously deciding to think those words, but you do anyway. In conclusion, I've been reading too much Freud.
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Kyle
Full Member
~~~~~ Trust Beyond See ~~~~~ "One light will tear apart the night"
Posts: 204
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Post by Kyle on Nov 12, 2007 19:34:04 GMT -5
DJ: I thought that's what Oliver was saying.
Oliver: This is starting to sound like a free will debate, so you'll have to forgive me if you don't like me using some of my free will debate arguments here =)
It doesn't matter. Either we control our thoughts and we must do the best we can, or we're simply reactions and we must react the best we can. The result is the same, either way. Perceive each one as whichever makes you more happy.
Take my advice: Do/react your best.
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Post by Oliveman on Nov 16, 2007 18:42:49 GMT -5
Ok, in the context of it not mattering whether or not thoughts are truely free (we can always debate that somewhere else), how are we able to better control our thoughts. Plus, do we need to?
I remember a good example from my sophomore year in high school. My history teacher was teaching us about the 8 fold path in Buddhism, which included being able to control thoughts. He had us all try to close our eyes and wipe our minds clean, then to think of an apple, just an apple, and to hold that image in our minds. I was dreadful at it, but a few people could do it.
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DamaNegra
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Angolera de cora?ao
Posts: 169
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Post by DamaNegra on Nov 21, 2007 20:39:12 GMT -5
I think controlling the thoughts is kinda like controlling the body. Sure, you can make your arm move up, and you can even stop breathing if you want. But most people will never be able to control their bodies to a full extent. Sometimes, you even lose control of things you thought you had under control, like someone peeing on themselves when they're too scared. Why can you control some parts of your body almost all the time, like the arms, the legs, etc, while others you can only control when you make a conscious effort (eyelashes, lungs, etc) and still other parts you'll most likely never be able to control (heart, stomach, etc.)?
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