Is your mind biased by your physical and mental genetics as well as your environment?

i am a huge proponent of rational emotive therapy and behavior modification therapy.

basically, consider this:

all emotional responses are chosen, whether consciously, or subconsciously. most people are able to overcome their subconscious cues, unless they suffer from a serious neurological deficit. this ability to choose our emotional response is one of the primary distinguishing differences of the human species.

but in order to be able to shape your emotional response, you must first assume full responsibility for it. no one else can 'make' you feel anything. emotional responses are never to external stimulae, they are to internal stimulae, or the way we internalize that external stimulae. for example, if someone punches you in the nose, the act itself does not presuppose any specific mandated emotional response. the way you respond is determined by how you choose to interpret the input. if you interpret the input to signify a validation of your own doubts of self worth, you break down into tears. if you interpret the input to signify a challenge to your authority (or perception of self worth) which you believe is unjustified and refutable, you may respond with anger, if you believe the attack is one which you cannot defend against, you may react with fear. again, the determining factor emotional response has nothing to do with what the external stimulae is. it's all in how you choose to process it.

if you refuse to be offended, no one can offend you.

if you refuse to be angered, no one can anger you.

i am not suggesting that abandonment of all emotions would be a good thing. after all, i liked Nimoy's alien as much as the next guy, but we are not vulcans, we're human, and emotions play a vital part in our health.

the problem is not the emotions themselves, it's the emotional irresponsibility, and the irresponsibility in general that pervades our global society. people need to accept responsibility not just for their actions, but for their own emotions. after all, how can i blame someone else for the choices I make, and still call myself an adult?

"Is your mind biased by your physical and mental genetics as well as your environment?" Yes, basically, as far as we know.

"How can we think logically like Mr Spock on "StarTrek" and not let our human mind and body deficiencies lead us astray in our thought process?" Discipline and practice.

But to me, Mr. Spock is not an ideal human. He is a role model of rationality. But there is much more to being human than being a human computer.

You better read Gene Roddenbury's books. Science fiction olny Human nature to be either nature or nuture. You either come to the table with preconseptions or learn from your environment.