To: The Philosopher who wrote (64251 ) 10/28/2002 8:44:01 AM From: Neocon Read Replies (2) | Respond to One's choice of response is very limited, in fact. Both by hardwiring and by socialization, there are certain responses that are pretty much guaranteed, especially pre- reflectively. Generally, the control that one has is not over the internal reaction, but over the external response. That is, one becomes angry, but checks one's temper so as to respond with some restraint. One becomes erotically attracted, but refrains from pursuing it, or moderates the ardor. One becomes embarrassed, but holds one's ground, instead of fleeing. It is true, that one can alter one's perceptions to some extent, and therefore convert anger into fatalism in some cases, for example, but it is my experience that those who claim that degree of control over their temper are self- deluding. Certainly some of your behavior on this thread is inexcusable unless looked at in the context of having been provoked into losing your temper.
