To explain how one should successfully deal with their impulses there are a couple of ideas we have to understand, such as our own nature, what we can control and how to live virtuously. These ideas come together to form the larger picture that helps us overcome our vices.
Your nature is impulsive
Human nature is the highest level of animal development. For a long time humans were overtaken by their reptilian brain. This part of the brain is responsible for our most primitive behaviors.
It’s responsible for the survival and perpetuation of our species. This is why most of our impulses or urges originate there, and they constantly drive use away from pain (mental and physical). Stoics understand this very well, because they know that we’re still ruled by our primitive nature to some degree.
Man has evolved in consciousness, this means that his impulses and urges are not limited to survival and procreation anymore. Rather they have to do with planning and emotional regulation as well. Most of our emotional regulation happens in our neocortex, which is the part of the brain that allows us to make objective judgement.
Even though we’ve created justice, order and peace among our species, we still retain much of our old nature. As it now survives within those systems, and constantly tries to outsmart them. Knowing this, means being okay with the fact that we may fail at self-control. And that this should not deter us from being better human beings.
Accepting our nature will allow us to have realistic expectations, and this means that we’re more likely to achieve our goals.
Learn about what you can control
There is no way a stoic could live without learning self-control. His reasoning must be led by the concept of control. His worries are dismissed by it. His self-development is the fruit of strong and challenging exercise of control.
One of the main principles of Stoicism is self-control. And to learn about what you can control, you must first learn to separate the actions, events and activities which you can actually control from those you can’t. Then you can productively appoint your will over the ones that lie in your sphere of influence.
This rule is perfect for impulses, especially because there’s some kind of emotion behind them. This is the greatest victory. To Control yourself. According to Kant is the only true freedom.
Learning about control, sets the road for appointing virtue over the things we can.
Improve yourself by being virtuous
Impulses and urges will forever be part of our nature. Their strength and power over us depends on our ability to control them. A stoic should analyze all sorts of impulses he experiences. The Good ones, and the bad ones. Because by analyzing them, he’s able to learn about their influence in a clearer manner.
As he develops his virtues (temperance, wisdom, courage, and justice), he begins to control his impulses. Soon after he begins to tame his wild emotions which force him to act impulsively. Over time the pull from the impulses begins to subside and eventually disappears.
It’s a matter of self-improvement. It’s not something that happens overnight. As Epictetus said: “nature doesn’t do leaps of evolution”. Rather, its gradually conquered by men, day after day. Through constant repetition and practice. The best habits are therefore built slowly in a repetitive process over a long period of time.
I’ll close this piece with two quotes that I believe summarizes the kind of relationship men should have with their own impulses:
“He is most powerful who has power over himself.”
– Seneca.
“We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than speak.”
– Zeno.
Take some time to put them into good use and you’ll realize that learning how to deal with your impulses, is a skill that you can carry with you into any field. A basic skill which builds the foundation for a successful life.
Stay hungry, Stay virtuous
