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I think you are probably approximately correct (although a relaxed outlook might lead to helping your grandchildren thrive, thus passing on your genes). Howeve
by ulber 8y ago
I think you are probably approximately correct (although a relaxed outlook might lead to helping your grandchildren thrive, thus passing on your genes).
However, your comment could be actionable in a number of ways, for example:
1. "You should embrace the intensity to make sure you reproduce."
2. "You should understand the source of that intensity as something that might oppose your goal of happiness."
3. "You should accept the biological inevitability of that intensity."
I'm partial to number 2. Even if the calculus of reproduction is straight forward, how that should inform your life choices is not.
- toasterlovin 8y agoFWIW, I've found that viewing bringing children into this world as a kind of higher calling has done a pretty good job of counteracting the daily stresses of raising children.
- code_duck 8y agoBased on countless examples in history, the same thing seems to be true for basically anything… Murder, rape, genocide, withstanding or inflicting abuse or torture are all much easier for people to bear mentally if they believe it is part of a greater goal.
- toasterlovin 8y agoThere’s a pretty big difference between justifying something you want to do and making yourself feel better about something that you don’t want to do.
- code_duck 8y agoWhat are you saying the difference is?
- toasterlovin 8y agoIt's the difference between good and evil.
- code_duck 8y agoAre you commenting on the effect on the person who is withstanding the distressing situation through rationalization, or just mentioning that?
- cco 8y agoI'm partial to number 2 as well, though I would add that having children is widely reported to increase "happiness" or "fulfillment" with the caveat that those concepts and self-report are very wishy/washy.