Message from @Alice Redacted
Discord ID: 486213738102259715
I contend
That if one can "control" their emotions, they'd be more willing to break promises and oaths, as they'd feel no regret, no remorse, and no pity for having broken said agreement
Arguably, emotions reinforce oaths of loyalty and such
After all, it can be more pragmatic to backstab, lie, cheat, and steal
It's merely empathy keeping us in place
@Alice Redacted When you want to eat sugar and don't feel like exercising, your emotions are not a guide towards health. When you want to cheat on your spouse and then you feel guilty after cheating, the guilt wasn't an effective guide. Emotions are not rational. They don't plan ahead.
I'd argue that "love" is what prevents most from cheating on their spouse.
An emotion.
One major component of wisdom is developing the foresight to emotionally understand how acting poorly will effect you in the future at an emotional level
I'd argue that empathy is what prevents cruelty against other humans...
Hell, for instance,my current health eating habits aren't motivated by pragmatism, I'd just know I'd feel unhappy if I ate unhealthy foods and such
@Alice Redacted But when "love" wins out over lust, one emotion is winning out over another
@Alice Redacted no need to say "i'd argue" every time
Emotions are controlled
Odin.
What "pragmatic" reason is there to not cheat on your wife?
or to remain loyal to someone, despite a disadvantage?
Also, deal with it, 21.
Besides, we're ignoring the whole "humanitarian" angle
Shouldn't happiness be what all strive for?
@Alice Redacted
You simply don't want the same thing all of the time. Wisdom in this case would be knowing that you need to muster your emotions so that you feel good in the future and that you act consistently with your greater emotional needs.
You cannot simply do whatever you feel like doing and act consistently with all emotions at all times. Some emotions are stronger at some times, and they contradict each other.
Are you talking about impulse control?
Impulses aren't emotions
Emotions aren't impulses
Anger is an emotion, and you may have to control it if you love your wife, for example.
That's fair
Impulse control is ONLY hard when there is a strong emotion under it
but you seem to be saying that emotions, in general, are bad
No, I am saying that they need to be structured rationally
and that we should rid ourselves of them
If you try to cover them up, they'll come out somewhere else
Everything we do is based in emotions
Of course, venting is useful at times
It's just a matter of whether or not we're acting rationally
expressing them in some way
be it to a friend, a lover, through writing, painting, or whatever you enjoy
acting purely "rationally" in a "realpolitik" sort of way is dangerous
particularly to those lacking power
Empathy is a powerful emotion.