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But what you've described is almost the textbook definition of discipline. "calm controlled behavior: the ability to behave in a controlled and calm way even i

But what you've described is almost the textbook definition of discipline. "calm controlled behavior: the ability to behave in a controlled and calm way even in a difficult or stressful situation" The pedant was able to create new habits that allowed him to be controlled and stick to a routine even in the presence of stimuli that would cause him to no longer exibit this control. The term consistency, when applied to human behavior, is almost always a form of discipline -- except when it comes to certain bodily functions... like heartbeat or going to the bathroom.

AznHisoka 15y ago
I think the distinction is between the need to use willpower and our logical/rational abilities vs. not needing to use it. The Rational Rider vs. The Elephant/Lizard Brain. When we make something a habit, it just naturally becomes a normal behavior. When we need to use discipline, we need to use self control in order to fight against a natural instinct that's more pleasurable. Of course, there's always a combination of the 2 that's needed, but habits generally rely on learning new behaviors that become natural.
- kenjackson 15y ago
  But if you're being pedantic, discipline usually isn't defined with respect to willpower. It's defined with respect to control. To be clearer -- consistency and discipline aren't exactly the same, but you get consistency in human behavior via discipline. Technically the original poster was correct. What the pedant did required discipline. The pedant saying that it wasn't discipline was actually not even technically correct. By attempting to be pedantic he actually said something that wasn't even technically true. Now what you're saying is that there is some other behavior that might be implied by the term discipline, which is a prolonged test of willpower. This technically is not in any definition of discipline I've seen. I'd argue that if you're going to be a pedant, you at least need to be right.
  - AznHisoka 15y ago
    Self control and willpower goes hand in hand. What else are you using to control yourself? I'm not sure what definition of discipline you are referring to, otherwise. In any case if I'm using your definition, then there's no sense in arguing, the argument wouldn't be interesting anyway.

AznHisoka 15y ago

I think the distinction is between the need to use willpower and our logical/rational abilities vs. not needing to use it. The Rational Rider vs. The Elephant/Lizard Brain. When we make something a habit, it just naturally becomes a normal behavior. When we need to use discipline, we need to use self control in order to fight against a natural instinct that's more pleasurable. Of course, there's always a combination of the 2 that's needed, but habits generally rely on learning new behaviors that become natural.

kenjackson 15y ago
But if you're being pedantic, discipline usually isn't defined with respect to willpower. It's defined with respect to control. To be clearer -- consistency and discipline aren't exactly the same, but you get consistency in human behavior via discipline. Technically the original poster was correct. What the pedant did required discipline. The pedant saying that it wasn't discipline was actually not even technically correct. By attempting to be pedantic he actually said something that wasn't even technically true. Now what you're saying is that there is some other behavior that might be implied by the term discipline, which is a prolonged test of willpower. This technically is not in any definition of discipline I've seen. I'd argue that if you're going to be a pedant, you at least need to be right.
- AznHisoka 15y ago
  Self control and willpower goes hand in hand. What else are you using to control yourself? I'm not sure what definition of discipline you are referring to, otherwise. In any case if I'm using your definition, then there's no sense in arguing, the argument wouldn't be interesting anyway.