I'm not talking about people who die in their sleep or something as a result of their severe emotional stress. I was clearly referring to those who commit suicide; they do choose to end it all of their own free-will. It is in their control.
They don't choose to experience such intensity of emotion/depression/stress that drives them to try and end the pain. For people in the throes of such devastating grief and loss it's questionable that they're choosing to act out of 'free will' at all. They're
out of control due to such extremes if anything.
Even when the false-dichotomy is pointed out you just return to it...
You can use that phrase as if you've countered the point as much as you like. No dice.
Their conscious experience led to a change in their emotions
But the emotional reaction to such news is not a conscious decision made.
Incorrect - more often than not one's values are a result of conscious experiences and decisions. For instance: when one converts to a religion/philosphy they adopt values from that religion/philosophy as their own. Or again, the people you value are a matter of choice - you choose who to spend your time with, who you consider a friend or foe. Democrats vs Republicans. Capitalists vs Socialists. Israel vs Palestine. etc.
Except if your subconscious attractions actually inform the choices you make then it isn't solely a conscious will at work in any decision making.
Granted not all movies are gonna move you - but some do. And that demonstrates that emotions aren't operating in their own dimension apart from our conscious life. Our conscious mind is linked to our emotions - there is no reason to conclude that this is a one-way communication channel.
Yes, some do, but I have no say in whether a film touches me on such a level. I either am or I'm not. I could be left cold by a movie while the person next to me is in tears. The ones that tend to move me are ones reflective of real life and have to be believable enough in order for any emotional connection to develop.
Wrong - I refer to myself as an intellectual for that is what I am: I am naturally drawn to thinking logically and looking for the optimal solution regardless of people's emotions on the matter. I am drawn to the study of philosophy, theology, Computer Science, etc. This doesn't mean that I innately have control over my emotions more than anyone else, it simply means that I don't embrace emotional appeals as a guide for life. Emotions are good and enhance life, but they aren't an indication of truth or the way things should be.
The feeling types, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with other people's emotions: they seek harmony. A good goal - but they are willing to sacrifice logic to make people feel good. They are more prone to using emotions as a guide for life, though they are as equally capable of using logic as the intellectual.
The only thing I'd agree with you on here is that basing life and arguments on emotional appeals isn't exactly the best idea. I think your reduction of those who don't identify as 'intellectual' as willing to sacrifice logic to once again be somewhat condescending as well as simplistic.
Being an intellectual doesn't give you control over your emotions, that is something that comes from the conscious will disciplining the mind. A fool blurts out whatever he feels, a wise man restrains himself.
With certain feelings it can certainly be controlled. Choosing to walk away from an argument or a fight for example where you may realize that anger needs to be calmed down. Not with everything though.
I didn't downplay anyone's emotions. I fully grant that it hurts terribly, and for a long time. But one doesn't commit suicide independent of their will - that is something they choose.
And for some people time just doesn't heal the wound. See the beginning where it comes to the rest.
By choosing how you act on them - or refusing to act on them - you are deciding the fate of the emotion. If you constantly and emphatically refuse an emotion, then eventually it will change. Emotions are really no different, in that respect, from any other function of the brain. It is a matter of positive and negative reinforcement to develop connections in the brain that result in a change in behavior (or emotions in this case).
You can refuse to act on an emotion - such as inappropriately pursuing a woman, but by doing so you're not deciding to fall out of love with her, just the same as if you did act on it where it was appropriate and you were turned down etc. It ain't something you can will away, which is why I said that life would be a lot easier in certain regards if one could...
