| padib said: I don't think it's robotic, because I would bet there are people who might not sacrifice themselves even for their SOs, as horrible as that might sound. I personally believe his reaction was cultivated over time, by all the small choices he made over time. The reason for love is for people to connect with and protect each other in the most honest way, without any ill intent behind it. That's love in its purest form. If the emotion itself is artificial, it defeats the purpose of the emotions. Same goes with laughter, it conveys trust and belonging. If the emotion is just a fabrication, it completely betrays the purpose of the emotion. You know your wife better than any of us could, better than I of course. But I would be that your wife is actually able to control her instinctive protection of her children, and moderate it for the happiness of her family. In that sense, she has a choice. And unfortunately, the idea that she can't help it would deter her from having the courage to follow a higher calling. Many decisions I've made in the past for love betrayed my depest instincts. I have a strange story in that I was possessed with irrational thoughts that I needed to battle using reason and hope. I had to reinvent myself. Though everything in me believed that my instinct was right, the outcome of my instinct would lead me in very hateful thoughts and patterns. That's when I learned to overcome my instincts with reason. Of course I can't tell you my life story in a few posts, but in my personal life, I have often had to make the very difficult choice of not listening to myself, to not trust myself, for the best of me and everyone around me. (worry not I'm better now) Having suffered from OCD, this was my battle. Choice and hope were tools I used to better myself. |
I'm not sure what else to call it. Sure the bond was cultivated over time, yet concious thought was not of the order while reacting to the situation.
As a teenager I reasoned myself into deciding to end it all at one point, classic existensial nihilism. At certain times I truly felt like I was simply observing my body from the outside, not really there, detached. However although I rejected love, still love prevented me from going that far. Even though it wouldn't matter for me, it certainly would matter for everyone I knew and be devastating to my family. Was that free will?
Over the years I got better and started enjoying life. I can't say I used anything as noble as choice and hope, drugs and videogames were it until I found love and through it hope. Drugs brought back being open to my emotions (xtc) and through videogames I met my wife. Now I'm more bound by love than ever, no absolute freedom, yet happier than ever. Up to a point that is, focusing on the positives instead of the negatives is the trick. Not always easy ofcourse.
I don't know what love is. It all seems very pre-programmed when I think about it. Loneliness getting worse and worse until the mind latches on to another human being. Luckily it latched on to the right one :)
Anyway I'm glad I've never had to battle my instincts, just my mind. I can't imagine what that would be like.
