Mainstream psychology has long ago accepted that the Nature vs. Nurture argument ends in a draw, ie both apply. The Nature argument says however you are raised, your genetics are what matters when discussing who you are and how you will behave. Nurture says it is how you are raised, instead of genetics, that matter. But it's a draw. Accordingly, any idea you have of your identity, personality, attitude, heritage, or "me", can be summed up like this:
You = Your Genetics + All Your Life Experience
But is that all? Are those all the factors that apply to each new decision you make? But what about morality? Isn't there some thing not included in that equation that isn't accounted for?
Some call it the soul, others call it a mind, or just "a me." I don't think it exists.
- This magical "other thing" cannot be sensed or experienced itself
- The above equation can account for all variance and randomness in any decisions or thoughts you have...
- Since nothing is actually affected by this thing, and it is un-sensable so it's existence cannot be proven, the idea itself is meaningless and unimportant.
Yet how can this be? Are my genes and experiences really enough to determine EVERY reaction/action I will take?
What if I am thinking of picking up my bag of potato chips, but just don't, just because I am trying to NOT be predictable. Yet, somehow, you had an urge in you not to be predictable. You also had an urge to be defiant and perhaps you weren't actually that hungry, but if you had been, you wouldnt have been thinking along these lines and would just have eaten it.
Every minute detail about your present physical existence affects your action in a situation.
How cold it is, what you had for breakfast, how many girls said hello to you when you were emotionally vulnerable in the sixth grade, when the last time you smoked pot was, who you've seen that day, what you are wearing...all of it.
You're actions = Genetic Predisposition + All of your experience. Thats it.
If you could know every last detail about a given situation you would be able to predict its outcome. This is not a new idea. But people have issues with it.
Just a thought.
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