Addiction By Definition

Precisely!Next question...have you ever lied to yourself in order to rationalize an irrational behavior?

Lets define terms. I disagree. Not every decision that I make is rational. Some decisions are impulsive. Some decisions are fantasy based. Of the latter two, I would argue that they were driven by wishes and desires rather than by logic or rationality. The devil never makes anyone do anything, but he is quite good at mimicking my own rational voice.

That makes sense, Stile.

Is it rational to get drunk often? Is it rational to gamble money that belongs in a retirement account or to give out as spare change? Is it rational to pursue a relationship with a beautiful stranger when you know that you only like her for how she makes you feel?We can rationalize anything. Rationalizing something does NOT make it rational or sound. Facts are facts. You may never be able to rationalize God (If God exists) and you may claim time and time again that without evidence it is impossible to prove God, but IF GOD EXISTS, GOD EXISTS Period. No evidence needed. As to why some people feel Him and some don't, I have no answer. Perhaps you could successfully argue that belief in God is not rational. I would have no argument there. (And why did I suddenly start talking about God again? Oh yeah...it is because you insisted that every well thought-out
argument contrary to rationality is itself rational. Edited by Phat, : added spiritual dynamicsEdited by Phat, : Beast Mode

Yes! Or an impulsive reaction, to be precise. I brought up religion. I want to focus on religion specifically as an addiction. I also want to discuss other addictions in our lives and elaborate on what you mention as decisions vs impulsive reactions.
Can You Be Addicted To Carbs? Scientists Are Checking That Out Two examples:

Going to the kitchen and grabbing a bag of chips or your favorite comfort food with no rational regard as to the caloric value, nutritional value, or actual need for such food at that point in time.

Attending a Billy Graham crusade and being emotionally swayed by the message and then impulsively choosing to step forward and receive the free gift from Jesus Christ.

Stile writes:

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Decision = something you use your brain to choose to do. Although decisions may be 'impulsive' (made on little information) or 'fantasy based' (made on information that is not factual) - they are all still decisions that we choose - and we also choose when to make that decision... whether it's done on little information, or on information we know may not be verified against reality.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has a magazine with the title of Decision. Some of you could successfully argue that the true name of that magazine should be called Impulse .

Stile writes:

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That is, if you decide to make an impulsive or fantasy based decision - it's still a 'rational decision' you're making... that is, you want to make this decision right away for whatever-reason-here (greed of short-term gain, desire of big-pay-out possibility...)

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If you are not deciding to make an impulsive or fantasy based decision - then, obviously, it's not a decision - it's an instinctual reaction - a reflex.

And yet in matters of faith, we may NEVER have enough information to make a rational decision.

...- such a decision may not exist anywhere, anytime, on the entire planet.

So we agree.

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If "the Beast" is used to represent anything above an instinctual reaction (reflex) - then it's being used as a scapegoat for the decisions you're making.

I agree, and would even argue that "The Beast" by definition is impulse driven and not the calm patient approach employed by the NeoCortex.

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A "rational decision" is one where you choose one thing over another for a specific reason.

Which is how I chose God rather than run the ship myself.

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stile writes:

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Just because that reason is "greed" or "the possibility of a big payout" doesn't mean you didn't "make the decision rationally."
It just means that you rationally-chose an irrational possibility.

Hence why I agreed that belief is irrational from a scientific perspective.

It was still a choice - there's no such thing as a human reflex to put money in a one-armed-bandit and pull the lever.

In the case of the bandit, it was more of an impulse based on Brainlock. Why would anyone ever willingly give a bandit any money?

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Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. ~RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith

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You can "get answers" by watching the ducks. That doesn't mean the answers are coming from them.~Ringo

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Subjectivism may very well undermine Christianity.
In the same way that "allowing people to choose what they want to be when they grow up" undermines communism.~Stile

Correct. One does not require evidence in order to rationalize a strong internal feeling. The question then becomes whether or not that spark of divinity is the result of a decision or the "bad burrito" effects of an impulsive moment. I would cautiously agree except to say that reality needs to require evidence. I suppose that technically one could fall in love with unicorns. I have seen several people who collect the little iconic figures! Falling in love with a ghost requires a bit more mindful rationale. As to whether the Ghost (note the capital G) is real or not, we may never know on a societal objective level. Then again, it may have been meant to be that way.
One side says that without Faith it is impossible to please God. The other side may say that without evidence it is impossible to prove God. One may ask why we continue to debate and argue what is for many a foregone conclusion one way or another.(either pro or con) Why might you imagine that this is an ongoing subject amongst e old codgers? ThugpreachaThat's my brand. I trademarked it this morning and plan on making many videos.

So then my next question would be:

Should the rational mind behave in such a manner? Would not evolution and the human quest for enlightenment seek to minimize such internal discord?
Would not our better impulses and long-range decisions tend to improve our cognitive development? In general, that is.

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Is there a general consensus as to what constitutes rationality?

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Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

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Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. ~RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith

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You can "get answers" by watching the ducks. That doesn't mean the answers are coming from them.~Ringo

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Subjectivism may very well undermine Christianity.
In the same way that "allowing people to choose what they want to be when they grow up" undermines communism.~Stile

I would argue that not all decisions are rational. Some are impulsive. Edited by Thugpreacha, : No reason given.

I would tend to label an animal brauin as impulsive and short sighted whereas a rational brain looks at the consequences both long range and in relationship to others.A child can rationalize having candy before dinner. So can an adult, but adults usually have more experience with such decisions and adjust their rationale accordingly. Anyone can want (or think they need) a drink of alcohol...but given the information available concerning the long range effects on the individual, the rational mind adjusts its choices accordingly whereas the animal brain plugs its ears.

it is obvious.

Lets start with the definitions. OK, now how about Surly children behave impulsively (and immaturely) when they grab at the candy in the store minutes before dinner.In addition, science has verified the patterns in an addictive brain that differ from those in a normal brain. Our impulsive mode seems stuck.

Deja Vu! Percy recently brought up a current corollary in my current (Day 38) journey.So far, my destructive behaviors are diminishing.