Menoman, I'm not going to give a lecture; don't worry. All I wanted to point out was that if you're doing things because they feel good or they otherwise bring us pleasure, emotions are likely involved. What else would it be?
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Originally Posted by xepherys
Baraka, I must vehemently disagree. As a man raised by a single mother, I'm more in touch with my feelings than many of my female friends. I have no problems wearing my emotions on my sleeve, and occasionally do just that. However, relating masturbation to emotion, because it feels good, is not correlational.
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I was raised by a married mother and have five siblings (three of which are sisters) all living in the same house, so I too am accustomed to emotions.
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Originally Posted by xepherys
People eat chocolate because it tastes good and makes them happy. Chocolate consumption, therefore, must be emotionally driven. Meh! Seriously?
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Actually, yes. Food is an interesting thing, especially when you compare humans to other animals. We have a varied diet for several reasons, many of which are related to our physiology: a long juvenile stage and our unusually large brain, for example. However, as a result of a large and complex brain, much of what we eat is also related to less essential things, such as pleasure. We don't eat chocolate for its nutritional worth, because let's face it, oatmeal and baked beans are far more valuable. We eat chocolate because it is pleasing. It is an experience that engages our senses. The smell and taste of it is more intense and pleasurable than many other foods, despite its shortcomings. Why else would we eat it other than the fact it tastes delightful. Our desire for this is emotionally, not logically, driven. If we thought it through, we wouldn't eat chocolate as much. It's high in fat and sugar and has nearly no valuable nutrients outside of some trace vitamins and a hint of calcium if it's milk chocolate.
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Originally Posted by xepherys
I play video games becuase they entertain me. I am not emotionally driven, however, to do so. It's instinctive, far below the level even of emotion, to please yourself. it's the rawest form of humanism. Instinct != emotion.
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Sorry, I'm not entirely sure what you mean. You aren't emotionally driven to engage in a pleasurable experience, it's more of an instinctual thing? Raw humanism is instinctual and equals emotion? Doesn't this mean that you
are indeed emotionally driven? I do agree with this so far. I would say emotions are in our very nature. Reason only kicks in once we take the time to contemplate our emotional reactions to things.
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Originally Posted by xepherys
On a similar note, men do not (generally) have one night stands due to a combination of commitment-phobia and need for intimacy. See my point above. There are two reasons for one night stands. First, is simply sexual gratification. Perhaps some are phobic of commitment, perhaps some are not. At college age, when one night stands are most likely to occur, many people, females included, do not DESIRE a commitment. It's not a phobia, it's a reasonable and specific decision against it. This does not, however, preempt any carnal desire.
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I didn't suggest it was always about commitment-phobia, although it is often the case. Sexual gratification is certainly a motive. Not particularly caring for a commitment does not negate the emotions that may take place while seeking sexual satisfaction with someone you find beautiful.
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Originally Posted by xepherys
The second reason for one night stands is conquest. This, actually, can be an emotional event, though in much the opposite way that you suppose is needed. In such a conquest a man desires to bolster his value among peers and friends. it isn't a self-worth issue, either, as many women seem to believe. If a guy feels a lack of self-worth, he isn't terribly likely to pursue such an event, but rather shy away from it. It is only an emotional situation insomuch as the man desires to feel admired by his peers.
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So it is emotionally driven, then? I agree with that. Seeking value and acceptance among your friends can get your emotions running high, especially if you get to tell them you've "nailed that hot chick" you've all been drooling over. This isn't unlike emotions that occur while watching or playing sports.
[BTW, I appreciate your compliments MrFriendly and Crompsin, despite your indulgence in hyperbole. You're making me blush.
Crap. Am I being emotional here?]
[And, burtsbees, good to hear about your positive experiences.]