Are we programmed beings?

[pljames]

We believe our parents and most of what people say when we are growing up. Then we learn to make up our own mind. I see and believe sometimes without rational thought just because it makes (sense logic reasonable understanding) to me.   Things are not all they seem to be in our world, we learn that as we grow older.

What makes sense to you might not to me and vice versa. We have all heard (I can't believe that). At that point do we not want to believe that because it goes against our strong belief in that?

I want to believe in common sense logic reason to a point of absolute (wont doubt or question) this or that belief. Why are we programmed to belief this or that? pljames

[Zepher08]

"Why are we programmed to belief this or that?"

To maintain order
To reduce disorder
To maintain a sense (feeling) of control / power over.

I say it is a control thing and it is based on fear... fear of the unknown, fear of the unpredictable .

Safety, security

Also change creates anxiety there for to avoid anxiety. Changing belief systems is a threat to security.

Then there is the identification with beliefs as in the belief serves as a self and with out the belief self (existence) is threatened.

[sakoz]

"Are we programmed beings?"  We are 'programable"; wait till your recognize how you "unwittingly programme" yourself everyday and also use prior programmes.

Try this, you might 'like' it.
Pavlov conditioned dogs to involuntarily react to the sound of a bell by salivating, every time he rang the bell. Do you believe that?
You are conditioned to involuntarily react to your believed images.  Do you belive that?
Think of a image that disturbs/distresses you.  WHILE experiencing the emotion say; "These emotions are my version of Pavlovian dogs salivating."
Keep thinking your image and saying the affirmation till the image no longer evokes emotions.  ( let us know if you succeeded neutralizing that image)
(If you laugh while doing this 'process', indicates your involuntary is "getting" the message. If you laugh because you believe this is bull-shit, at least you got a free laugh.)You are in fact reacting to your image that this is B.S.   Gotchya.

[pljames]

Excellent answers both of you. I love this forum. pljames

[voodoo scientist]

Humans are not programmable in any meaningful sense of the word. 'Programming' implies direct top-down control of the 'program,' and while humans can be persuaded and influenced, that's not the same as being programmed - programming implies a much higher level of determinism. If humans were programmable, they would always respond to a stimuli in exactly the way they were programmed to by their programmer, which is obviously not the case for anyone.

Rather, humans are learning beings. They don't respond to stimuli in a predetermined way, but are equipped with tools to respond to novel stimuli, or respond to old stimuli in novel ways.