What's wrong with anger?

[seebs]

http://www.livejournal.com/users/gomichan/87745.html#cutid1

One of the most beautiful and talented people in the entire world has written an essay on human anger. It is, as you would expect, beautiful.

Just because I was a square peg bruised by a round hole, that didn't mean the round pegs were my enemies.

Comments? Feedback?

 

[waterbear]

http://www.livejournal.com/users/gomichan/87745.html#cutid1

One of the most beautiful and talented people in the entire world has written an essay on human anger. It is, as you would expect, beautiful.



Comments? Feedback?

Anger doesn't really address the problem. I usually translate anger into sadness so I can understand the issue and, in the future, not be angered by it. But I'm a self-control freak.

 

[inHisgrip]

Anger is a natural, healthy emotion. Its how you express it that can cause problems.
In Him

 

[waterbear]

Anger is a natural, healthy emotion. Its how you express it that can cause problems.
In Him

When is anger ever preferrable to a rather calm, controlled disagreement? I would also note that natural need not be related to healthy, it is naturally to find fatty foods pleasant to eat, yet obviously that isn't healthy (anymore at least, assuming evolution).

 

[Lionheart_03]

being angry is just natural... but me i only got angry if i can't take it anymore... i have long patience and as long as i can hold it i try not to be angry...

 

[wayfaring man]

As with practically any characteristic - there are both good and bad forms of it .

With anger it's safe to say there's a lot more " bad " forms , than " good" .

God is angry in some respects .

And there is therefore such a thing as " righteous anger " .

But generally when we humans are angry it's a case of " self - righteous anger " .

Anger is usually an extension of fear ( which also has it's good and bad forms ) ; and if held in a prolonged manner normally turns into hatred ( which also has it's good and bad forms ) .

19: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

<----> James Ch. 1

One of my favorite passages on the subject .

***

seebs : appreciate the link ; I'll check it out a little later .

wm

 

[praying]

When is anger ever preferrable to a rather calm, controlled disagreement? I would also note that natural need not be related to healthy, it is naturally to find fatty foods pleasant to eat, yet obviously that isn't healthy (anymore at least, assuming evolution).

It was not said that it was preferrable only that it is natural and like InHisGrip stated it is not anger that is the problem it is how you channel that anger. It can be destructive or constructive and that takes thought and reasoning to turn anger into something constructive. That is the not natural part which is of course why so many fail at it, including myself at times.

 

[praying]

those you inspire to anger will fly like an arrow to the target, with very little attention for the one who presented the target to them in the first place. And as an added bonus, the ones you didn't reach will simply do nothing, removing themselves from the equation.

This has much to do with the group dynamic. It much easier to rouse a crowd to anger to the point of taking action than it is to using the example in the essay of racism to anger an individual to that same point.

 

[waterbear]

It was not said that it was preferrable only that it is natural and like InHisGrip stated it is not anger that is the problem it is how you channel that anger. It can be destructive or constructive and that takes thought and reasoning to turn anger into something constructive. That is the not natural part which is of course why so many fail at it, including myself at times.

It was stated that anger is a "healthy" response. I'm simply saying it is not.

 

[12volt_man]

One of the most beautiful and talented people in the entire world has written an essay on human anger.

What? I don't remember writing any essay!

Comments? Feedback?

Anger is a funny thing. No matter who it's directed at, it only hurts the person who harbors it. More corrosive than any acid.

 

[praying]

It was stated that anger is a "healthy" response. I'm simply saying it is not.

No she said healthy emotion and qulaified that with how it is channeled.

 

[waterbear]

Anger is a natural, healthy emotion. Its how you express it that can cause problems.
In Him

I'm reading this as, "Anger is a natural, healthy emotion - BUT its expression can cause problems" whereas you're reading this as (apparently) "Anger is a natural, healthy emotion - PROVIDED its expression does not cause problems."

From a definitional standpoint, anger is defined as healthy, then it is mentioned that it can cause problems in expression.
An example:
a) A house is nice. A house can be old and problematic.
vs.
b) My house is nice, provided it isn't old and problematic.

Note that anger, in addition to it's expression, is a response.

 

[praying]

I'm reading this as, "Anger is a natural, healthy emotion - BUT its expression can cause problems" whereas you're reading this as (apparently) "Anger is a natural, healthy emotion - PROVIDED its expression does not cause problems."

From a definitional standpoint, anger is defined as healthy, then it is mentioned that it can cause problems in expression.
An example:
a) A house is nice. A house can be old and problematic.
vs.
b) My house is nice, provided it isn't old and problematic.

Note that anger, in addition to it's expression, is a response.

I agree with this, but still do not read it as stating being preferrable to a calm reasoned reaction.

 

[nadroj1985]

You don't need your anger to make the decision. If something is wrong, you will find reasons to oppose it other than the emotions it inspires in you.

I particularly liked this bit. Anger might lead you to look at a certain issue more deeply, but it shouldn't be the reason you act. I think that's good advice.