Small Questions - Part 3.5

[Doctor_Wu]

How about this then...

Can everybody learn self control?

[Ryan166]

if they're not mentally insane or retarded...yes.

[schbusdrvr]

if they're not mentally insane or retarded...yes.
I was thinking about the same disqualifiers myself...so I agree.

[sc4jc]

We all control ourselves to some degree. No one is as bad as they could be.

[pperry0501]

the question doesnt say w exceptions, its yes or no, so i vote no.

[murzilka]

Can everyone learn science or languages? No!

Same goes to self control!

[Lagkiller]

I think I have figured out where the doc is going with this

[Doctor_Wu]

No, not everyone can learn self control. This is the reason for prisons. And when you see inmates interviewed some of them say that if freed they would kill again, rape again, molest again... etc.

So they seem to be unable to control themselves...

Gluttons likewise seem to be unable to control their eating...

I'm under the impression that self control is learned... (perhaps it's not... and we may wish to discuss that idea.) and not everybody can control themselves.

So not everyone is able to learn self control.

Who's with me?

[rayzac]

Seems like you are confusing learning self control and practicing self control. I believe someone who is mentally fit can learn self control, but free choice lets them choose wether they practice it.

[Doctor_Wu]

Seems like you are confusing learning self control and practicing self control. I believe someone who is mentally fit can learn self control, but free choice lets them choose wether they practice it.


Does the meaning change if i phrase it differently... ?

What if instead of saying 'learning self control', we say... learning to control themselves. Or learning to control their appetites.

If one cannot control one's actions... and they repeatedly end up in jail... are we to believe they know how to control themselves, but choose not to? Or are we to believe they are incapable of controlling themselves ...at least for now.... that they have yet to learn how to control themselves.

I don't think we can say that just b/c they don't control themselves; they choose not to... many would like to...many would choose to if they knew how... yet their appetites get the best of them.

The glutton who longs to be thin may be considered out of control in one area of life. Though they are not mentally unfit. They simply have not learned to control their appetites. And may never.

[vertigorillaz]

Don't discount the idea that because society puts us in certain situations (ie. poor living in inner cities and at a disadvantage socio-economically speaking) self control might be relative. You can control yourselve to a certain degree, but once you are left unprotected by your societal framework your options are limited and thus control over realistic possible actions are limited as well. Those than win the social lottery of being born to a nice rich family have more options than those that are not born to that socio-economic stratum. If in a certain situation the poor have to defend themselves or provide for their family by answering to the higher law of survival. After all Hobbes did say that we enter society to escape the "nasty, brutish, and short" life offered in the state of nature. If society fails to protect us from this type of life don't we have an obligation to break laws even though that means being thrown in jail later on? In these cases then, isn't self control a moot issue? But between yes and no I choose No.

P.S. I love you

[Doctor_Wu]

Interesting thoughts Vertigorillaz... though you should vote.

[bookishboy]

Not everyone can learn self-control; as someone else pointed out, some are mentally incompetunt. Prisons are for people who can learn self control but do not display it, at least with regard to laws. If someone can not learn self-control, they ought not to be given the rights that are reserved for competunt adults, including self-advocacy and (though this is my opinion) the right to vote.

[Schly]

No, not everyone can learn self control. This is the reason for prisons. And when you see inmates interviewed some of them say that if freed they would kill again, rape again, molest again... etc.

So they seem to be unable to control themselves...

Gluttons likewise seem to be unable to control their eating...

I'm under the impression that self control is learned... (perhaps it's not... and we may wish to discuss that idea.) and not everybody can control themselves.

So not everyone is able to learn self control.

Who's with me?

With the proper deterrents, those people can be made to excercise control. :lol:

[adams135]

CAN = YES
Will = Hell NO

[Doctor_Wu]

Define, please. I don't believe such a condition exists. Unwilling maybe, but not unable.

Based on this, I can't answer your poll.



Perhaps we've not answered one of the earlier questions...

[Schly]

CAN = YES
Will = Hell NO

Then those people are not a part of society and need to be dealt with accordingly.

[Schly]

Don't discount the idea that because society puts us in certain situations (ie. poor living in inner cities and at a disadvantage socio-economically speaking) self control might be relative. You can control yourselve to a certain degree, but once you are left unprotected by your societal framework your options are limited and thus control over realistic possible actions are limited as well. Those than win the social lottery of being born to a nice rich family have more options than those that are not born to that socio-economic stratum. If in a certain situation the poor have to defend themselves or provide for their family by answering to the higher law of survival. After all Hobbes did say that we enter society to escape the "nasty, brutish, and short" life offered in the state of nature. If society fails to protect us from this type of life don't we have an obligation to break laws even though that means being thrown in jail later on? In these cases then, isn't self control a moot issue? But between yes and no I choose No.

P.S. I love you

In our current society, it is exceedingly rare that those willing to strive for survival are allowed to starve. The government and various charities are willing to step in and help. It is not a GOOD exsistence, but there is no reason to go hungry. Those that steal to get what they want are taking that path by choice because they see it as easy and provides instant gratification.

I don't buy your theory. Self control is what makes people take the correct action vs. the incorrect (easy) path.

[madsquid]

Anyone can learn self-control - to varying levels of intensity. Some people are so good at controlling themselves physically that they can withstand incredible pain; some people are better at mental self-control in the face of things that would force most individuals to go insane. It all depends on many factors. But as a GENERAL rule, yes anyone can learn "self control" (which is a very vague term), at least at some level.

[BikerEric]

I have read somewhere that Lead poisoning in children (major problem in Baltimore) , causes an irreversable lack of self control, as that part of the brain is affected by the toxins. So NO not everybody can learn self control.

[ImaginaryFriend]

Once again everybody has the ability to learn or exercise self control. Quite a few of us chose not to learn or exercise self control.