[FirstClass]

Originally Posted by Geenie

Would you then go so far as to say that there is no such thing as an appropriate instinct?

While my personal experiences are minute compared to those of the other members of this board I do recall an event that happened to me in Cape Town, South Africa. I was walking along the street when three young men, one of which was armed with a flathead screwdriver, grabbed me and told me that I was being robbed. While my reaction was anything but smart I was able to fend them off with my limited hand to hand combat abilities and a lot of luck.

What I found interesting afterwards was that my 'decision' to fight them off wasn't a conscious one. In the short time that I had to realize what was happening I was so appalled at the fact that someone was not only trying to take my belongings but was actually threatening my life in the process, that the only thing on my mind was - and this was more of what I would call an instinct or a gut reaction than a thought - "This is wrong. I have to fight this"

Of course being confronted with a gunman is something entirely different and something that I can not speak to. I am merely questioning whether reacting towards and aggressor really requires "thinking about it" or if there is not indeed such a thing as a "warrior spirit" for lack of a better term.

Edited to add: I guess I think that one's reaction to such scenarios has more to do with one's paradigms than with any rational thought process. I'm sure one's upbringing and the culture one lives in contributes greatly to one's reaction under such stressful situations.

now back into my lane...

You also need to consider Evolution. Americans with passive instincts are not being trimmed down, so they flourish and multiply.