What is anger?

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Synthesis
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Synthesis »

Woodart wrote:
Synthesis wrote: (Nested quote removed.)

I believe there is a great deal of variability.

Sounds very amorphous – non committal – I think biology is fixed and not very debatable. It takes courage to address the hard questions.
Having been a physician in practice for over 30 years, I would like to suggest that there is a great deal of variability in the presentation of human biology/physiology and it's interaction with metal/emotional states.
Woodart
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Woodart »

Synthesis wrote:
Woodart wrote: (Nested quote removed.)



Sounds very amorphous – non committal – I think biology is fixed and not very debatable. It takes courage to address the hard questions.
Having been a physician in practice for over 30 years, I would like to suggest that there is a great deal of variability in the presentation of human biology/physiology and it's interaction with metal/emotional states.
I am aware there is variability in the human condition. If we take the bell curve in relation to testosterone - most men are profoundly affected by it. The psychological and behavioral responses are other variables which vary – widely. However, the data indicates men think about sex – a lot. Thinking about sex and not getting it – which happens frequently – is what causes frustration. Frustration is linked to anger. Anger is linked to behavior. There is a causal chain between testosterone and discriminatory behavior and practices. I am surprised you don’t admit this. What do you admit to – I have not heard a clear position? Is your position like Trump’s on climate change – “there is not enough data yet”?
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LuckyR
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Re: What is anger?

Post by LuckyR »

Woodart wrote:
Synthesis wrote: (Nested quote removed.)

Having been a physician in practice for over 30 years, I would like to suggest that there is a great deal of variability in the presentation of human biology/physiology and it's interaction with metal/emotional states.
I am aware there is variability in the human condition. If we take the bell curve in relation to testosterone - most men are profoundly affected by it. The psychological and behavioral responses are other variables which vary – widely. However, the data indicates men think about sex – a lot. Thinking about sex and not getting it – which happens frequently – is what causes frustration. Frustration is linked to anger. Anger is linked to behavior. There is a causal chain between testosterone and discriminatory behavior and practices. I am surprised you don’t admit this. What do you admit to – I have not heard a clear position? Is your position like Trump’s on climate change – “there is not enough data yet”?
Your logic train is pretty easy to follow. Though so is the progression from shiny things in store window, to desire, to frustration, to theft, to violence. And in summation: shiny things lead to violence. Logical at some level but overly simplistic and ultimately not a primary driver of behavior.
"As usual... it depends."
Woodart
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Woodart »

I find most men to be hypocrites in relation to sex. So, not only are they cowards – they are hypocritical cowards. When a male tells me he is not affected by testosterone – I scratch my head and say – yeah right. I also like to hear comments like – I only think about sex with my wife or girlfriend. I love the righteous – they are so honest.
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LuckyR
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Re: What is anger?

Post by LuckyR »

Woodart wrote:I find most men to be hypocrites in relation to sex. So, not only are they cowards – they are hypocritical cowards. When a male tells me he is not affected by testosterone – I scratch my head and say – yeah right. I also like to hear comments like – I only think about sex with my wife or girlfriend. I love the righteous – they are so honest.
I am pretty sure most men automatically evaluate every potentially attractive woman they see, specifically for the purposes of theoretically bedding them. OTOH, a substantial minority (at least) of women likely do a similar thing.

Hormones are powerful, no doubt, but they are not destiny. Rather an influencer.
"As usual... it depends."
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Sy Borg
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Sy Borg »

Don't be too harsh. Hormones can turn sensible people into lunatics. Haven't you people had sometimes felt like a meat puppet? ... "I know I shouldn't be doing this but, gosh, I'm seem to be doing it". We try hard to give the impression that we are under control but it's as much of an affectation as an unrealistic ideal of the human/animal condition.

As for anger, it's just one other form of agitation. Sometimes agitation is needed to get us off our bottoms but it's preferable if one can motivate and drive oneself with mental strength and personal mastery. I speak theoretically, of course.
Synthesis
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Synthesis »

Woodart wrote:I am aware there is variability in the human condition. If we take the bell curve in relation to testosterone - most men are profoundly affected by it. The psychological and behavioral responses are other variables which vary – widely. However, the data indicates men think about sex – a lot. Thinking about sex and not getting it – which happens frequently – is what causes frustration. Frustration is linked to anger. Anger is linked to behavior. There is a causal chain between testosterone and discriminatory behavior and practices. I am surprised you don’t admit this. What do you admit to – I have not heard a clear position? Is your position like Trump’s on climate change – “there is not enough data yet”?
No, my position is that we are simply incapable of understanding anything. What we do [sort of] comprehend is [grossly] 'cause and effect.'

One of the first things you learn when you study and practice medicine is just how little is known about how the body works. The truth of the matter is that we can know [in real terms] nothing at all, but this does not mean that we can use other methods to help. The best healers are those who seem to be quite intuitive [whatever this may be]. These are the folks who seem to be connected to the stream of energy [for lack of a better word] that tells them how to proceed, similar to how a truly great athlete seems to know where the play is going before everybody else.

Intellectually, medicine is highly complex, but since the truth of the matter is always inherently simple, one must stick with those methods that keep things elemental. Complexity is misdirected in that it is approaching the problem indirectly.

I would agree that men see women as potential partners, but this is not an exclusive arrangement. I believe that all humans see everything in relation to their 'self,' be it a woman, an automobile, a house, etc. .

It would be interesting to to take a poll and ask men the following question, "Would you rather spend a couple of hours with the most beautiful girl you could imagine or with a 1963 Ferrari 250GTO [the most highly sought after automobile in the world]?" There is no doubt in mind my which most men would choose.
Woodart
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Woodart »

Synthesis wrote:
Intellectually, medicine is highly complex, but since the truth of the matter is always inherently simple, one must stick with those methods that keep things elemental. Complexity is misdirected in that it is approaching the problem indirectly.
I like these two sentences - so - let's substitute one word over and over - like:

Intellectually, Peace is highly complex, but since the truth of the matter is always inherently simple, one must stick with those methods that keep things elemental. Complexity is misdirected in that it is approaching the problem indirectly.

Intellectually, anger is highly complex, but since the truth of the matter is always inherently simple, one must stick with those methods that keep things elemental. Complexity is misdirected in that it is approaching the problem indirectly.

Intellectually, community is highly complex, but since the truth of the matter is always inherently simple, one must stick with those methods that keep things elemental. Complexity is misdirected in that it is approaching the problem indirectly.

Intellectually, sex is highly complex, but since the truth of the matter is always inherently simple, one must stick with those methods that keep things elemental. Complexity is misdirected in that it is approaching the problem indirectly.

We can baffle ourselves with BS ad infinitum – and – where does that get us? What is in short supply here is not understanding – it is courage. Most people do not have the courage to look at themselves and see what is wrong – in themselves. The way we think sexually – the anger it produces – the frustration – the resultant behavior and mal-adaptations it has for all society.

We do not have peace in the world. I say it comes down to our individual houses – bodies and the sexual frustration we exhibit. Each individual is not honest with their sexual thoughts and actions. There is a consequence for hypocrisy and dishonesty. The world is not at peace because we are not at peace.
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Ranvier
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Ranvier »

Prostitution is a virtue then... that should be awarded with a peace keeping medal of social gratitude :)
Thank goodness for the prostitutes and promiscuous women, for their great social service and balancing the equilibrium of social morality.
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Burning ghost
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Burning ghost »

I saw a sign today it said "Anger is temporary insanity".

Is this a sex debate or something else? I am confused. Is the thought being cast out here insinuating sex is the cause of anger? What are we talking about?

-- Updated September 3rd, 2017, 8:23 pm to add the following --

Note: Testosterone is linked to reducing depression and anxiety too.
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Spectrum »

Woodart wrote:Most people do not have the courage to look at themselves and see what is wrong – in themselves. The way we think sexually – the anger it produces – the frustration – the resultant behavior and mal-adaptations it has for all society.

We do not have peace in the world. I say it comes down to our individual houses – bodies and the sexual frustration we exhibit. Each individual is not honest with their sexual thoughts and actions. There is a consequence for hypocrisy and dishonesty. The world is not at peace because we are not at peace.
The brain and mind operate on the combination and interactions of near-independent modules of main, sub or sub-sub modules.
Anger is one type of primary emotion and I would class it as a sub-sub module of the 'limbic' brain that facilitate survival, therefrom preservation of the species.

The mind works on the basis of 'IF X then Y.'
e.g. If X, then triggers anger.
If anger is triggered, then the whole related relevant process [mental, chemical, physical, etc] is set off.

Your point seem to relate,
If X [sexual] then anger.

But in reality X can be any other mental and physical elements, e.g.
If X [hunger] then anger.
IF X [poverty] then anger
If X [bullied] then anger.
IF X [whatever] then anger.

In some cases, anger can even be triggered by stimulating parts of the module itself without any external triggers.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3400485/

Thus it is too limited to confine the issue of anger to sex.

I believe what is most critical on the issue of Anger [Generally as in OP] is this;
IF X [whatever] then anger (as programmed)
what is necessary is to link anger to the 'impulse control module', i.e.

IF X [whatever] then anger,
If anger, then invoke 'impulse control module'.

An effective 'impulse control module' in the brain will spontaneously inhibit the anger impulse before the acts of anger are carried out.
If one impulse control module is weak, then one has to strengthen it where possible.

I believe this is the basic gist of 'What is Anger' i.e. understand its elements and mechanics thoroughly then improve one's impulse control module to modulate one's anger so that it do not compound into rage therefrom to violence and other evils.

-- Updated Sun Sep 03, 2017 10:58 pm to add the following --
Woodart wrote:The world is not at peace because we are not at peace.
One critical reason [among many], the World is not at peace is because the majority do not have an efficient impulse control module in their brain to modulate the terrible impulses of anger.
Worst and it is a fact there is a God amongst humanity that is stoking its believers to be angry against non-believers at all times. [This relevant to the OP but I won't go into details].
But in general one of the solution to world peace is to improve the efficiency of one's impulse control module in the brain/mind.
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
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Burning ghost
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Burning ghost »

What is the OPPOSITE of anger? Would be really helpful to say what is.

-- Updated September 4th, 2017, 12:16 am to add the following --

Just to add. The theory, forgotten WHO investigated it but pretty sure Darwin spark it off, is that the opposite emotion is felt by the opposite bodily reactions. Anger is high heart rate, tension, etc., so the opposite emotion would display a low heart rate, and relaxation.

What is that theory called? Bodily behavior? My minds gone blank!
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Sy Borg
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Sy Borg »

Burning ghost wrote:What is the OPPOSITE of anger? Would be really helpful to say what is.

-- Updated September 4th, 2017, 12:16 am to add the following --

Just to add. The theory, forgotten WHO investigated it but pretty sure Darwin spark it off, is that the opposite emotion is felt by the opposite bodily reactions. Anger is high heart rate, tension, etc., so the opposite emotion would display a low heart rate, and relaxation.

What is that theory called? Bodily behavior? My minds gone blank!
I don't know the theory but the opposite would seem to be "calm".
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Hereandnow
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Hereandnow »

The theory I think you're looking for is behaviorism.
Synthesis
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Re: What is anger?

Post by Synthesis »

Woodart wrote:We can baffle ourselves with BS ad infinitum – and – where does that get us? What is in short supply here is not understanding – it is courage. Most people do not have the courage to look at themselves and see what is wrong – in themselves. The way we think sexually – the anger it produces – the frustration – the resultant behavior and mal-adaptations it has for all society.

We do not have peace in the world. I say it comes down to our individual houses – bodies and the sexual frustration we exhibit. Each individual is not honest with their sexual thoughts and actions. There is a consequence for hypocrisy and dishonesty. The world is not at peace because we are not at peace.
So, you are suggesting that if everybody just went around having sex with whomever they like, then a great deal of the anger would disappear? If you were around in the 60's, you might not believe this is the case. Woodart, consider the following metaphor...

...people are like a cauldron of water on a stove, the flame being the occurrences in life the provoke us [for whatever the reasons]. Some people are able to keep their water temperature low so that when an event takes place that creates discontent, the water temperature rises only a bit, but since this person has various coping mechanisms, the temperature decreases back to its normal state. Other people's life skills/nature/organics are not quite as developed/balanced. Their water is always at a very high temperature. When an similar event takes place, they boil over and their anger becomes external.

I like to believe in the Buddhist conception of anger which suggests that anger derives from attachment and the inevitable loss that follows. Whether this theory is true is not so important. Keeping oneself in balance is.

You, like everybody else, has all kinds of theories on why this, that, and the other thing happens, but none of us can know any of these things. If you would like to blame your own anger on sexual frustration, then you might want to consider the idea that the very same is simply a trigger. Your anger is inside of you. What you must do is become aware enough to see the cause of your anger. Only then can you begin to defuse it.
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