Comments on: Do we have conscious control over our actions? http://softwarecreation.org/2007/do-we-have-conscious-control-over-our-actions/ What are the forces behind software development? Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:05:09 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Ryan http://softwarecreation.org/2007/do-we-have-conscious-control-over-our-actions/comment-page-1/#comment-8039 Ryan Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:16:43 +0000 http://softwarecreation.org/2007/do-we-have-conscious-control-over-our-actions/#comment-8039 Although scientists say that 80 percent of human behavior is largely automatic, they are forgetting an important detail. I think of this detail as similar to computer programming. It takes a conscious effort (well for beginners at least) to write code for a program, but once the code is there the computer (unconscious mind) knows it and can run it without that beginner programmer writing (conscious mind) the code again. This is very much true for driving cars or playing piano (I do both). Neither of these are installed without prior programming. What I'm trying to say, is that we program our instincts. It is a conscious effort or receiving of information. That is why I think you should repeal your comment "Perhaps, the best way to understand human behavior is to ignore the supposedly rational, consciously generated actions of individuals." Although scientists say that 80 percent of human behavior is largely automatic, they are forgetting an important detail. I think of this detail as similar to computer programming. It takes a conscious effort (well for beginners at least) to write code for a program, but once the code is there the computer (unconscious mind) knows it and can run it without that beginner programmer writing (conscious mind) the code again. This is very much true for driving cars or playing piano (I do both). Neither of these are installed without prior programming.

What I’m trying to say, is that we program our instincts. It is a conscious effort or receiving of information. That is why I think you should repeal your comment “Perhaps, the best way to understand human behavior is to ignore the supposedly rational, consciously generated actions of individuals.”

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