Philosophy Now Forum

Where does impulse end and enthusiasm begin?

Can you expand on that? It's a little nebulous.

Btw, I answered impulsively. We'll see if you can hook my enthusiasm.

I wish I could. I'm afraid the word I use will over-influence. All I know is I am trying to figure out what causes me to act when I act 'spontaneously' (that's the word—it's not quite right, but it's all I can think of): impulse or enthusiasm. I think maybe if I am enthusiastic then I get more impulsive. Does that sound right? Let me ask: were you experiencing enthusiasm when you answered impulsively?

Jaded Sage wrote:I wish I could. I'm afraid the word I use will over-influence. All I know is I am trying to figure out what causes me to act when I act 'spontaneously' (that's the word—it's not quite right, but it's all I can think of): impulse or enthusiasm. I think maybe if I am enthusiastic then I get more impulsive. Does that sound right? Let me ask: were you experiencing enthusiasm when you answered impulsively?

No. Though there was mild enthusiasm in anticipation of a reply, I suppose . I'm not very spontaneous, myself. Nor enthusiastic, really. Actually, I like placidity. I don't like my life feeling like I'm on a rollercoaster.

I knew that word would throw it off in one way or another.

Impulse is what you do without thinkin' about it. It has lot in common with instinct.

Enthusiasm is the passion you bring to what you're focused on.

In one, you're flyin' on automatic (or nearly so).

In the other, you're flyin' fully engaged, eyes on the instruments, hands on the controls.

In one, you're just eatin' corn chips, one after the other, without really tasting any of them.

In the other, you're aware of every bite.

The two seem apart, have no overlap, so I'm not seein' how one ends and the other begins.

Jaded Sage wrote:I knew that word would throw it off in one way or another.

Derailed rollercoaster, huh?

henry quirk wrote:Impulse is what you do without thinkin' about it. It has lot in common with instinct.

Enthusiasm is the passion you bring to what you're focused on.

In one, you're flyin' on automatic (or nearly so).

In the other, you're flyin' fully engaged, eyes on the instruments, hands on the controls.

In one, you're just eatin' corn chips, one after the other, without really tasting any of them.

In the other, you're aware of every bite.

The two seem apart, have no overlap, so I'm not seein' how one ends and the other begins.

So the one is automatic with non-awareness, and the other is non-automatic with awareness. I had an old teacher who called that reaction and response, respectively. That helps, gracias. It's strange how impulse can feel like enthusiasm, no? Or do the two have completely distinct feelings?

Jaded Sage wrote:

henry quirk wrote:Impulse is what you do without thinkin' about it. It has lot in common with instinct.

Enthusiasm is the passion you bring to what you're focused on.

In one, you're flyin' on automatic (or nearly so).

In the other, you're flyin' fully engaged, eyes on the instruments, hands on the controls.

In one, you're just eatin' corn chips, one after the other, without really tasting any of them.

In the other, you're aware of every bite.

The two seem apart, have no overlap, so I'm not seein' how one ends and the other begins.

So the one is automatic with non-awareness, and the other is non-automatic with awareness. I had an old teacher who called that reaction and response, respectively. That helps, gracias. It's strange how impulse can feel like enthusiasm, no? Or do the two have completely distinct feelings?

Oh, my misunderstanding. I hadn't realised you were searching for the distinction. I always trust a dictionary definition, and work from there... OED, preferably.

A lot of it depends on personal experience and definition, for example...

"reaction and response"

Reaction shares a lot with impulse, instinct, and perhaps habit, but when I think 'response' I don't equate that with the passion or enthusiasm.

For example: I'm engaged in typing this post but I'm not really enthused about it. The back and forth is enjoyable, the codifying of a thought is enjoyable, but my heart isn't racing and, while focused on this post, I'm not totally so (thinkin', in part, about the work day, my kid's school day, etc.).

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"It's strange how impulse can feel like enthusiasm, no? Or do the two have completely distinct feelings?"

For me: the two seem quite different. Impulse, again, being an automated thing (like instinct or habit), while enthusiasm is me 'in the moment' fully.

Mebbe 'impulse' and 'enthusiasm' are two ends of a spectrum, so far apart, for some, as to practically not be connected at all.

Impulse is momentary; enthusiasm is sustained.

Something attracts your attention; it looks good; you want it.

See a honking great slab of cheesecake dripping with raspberry sauce. Impulse prompts you to reach for it, take a forkful...
....damn if it doesn't taste just as good as it looks! ..... second bite ... This is the moment
enthusiasm kicks in and lasts until you're licking the plate.
Then Aunt Sally plops down another slice in front of you, and you suddenly discover that enthusiasm has dried up,
reality has asserted itself
and you are struck by an impulse to get up from the table and run five miles to get rid of those of 4000 calories...
....but by the time you've laced up the sneakers, the impulse has already faded, you're out the front door,
but you just can't seem to build up any enthusiasm...
.... and then you discover an impulse to lie down in the hammock instead.

Jaded Sage wrote: So the one is automatic with non-awareness, and the other is non-automatic with awareness.

Hey JS, I don't think it's fully accurate to categorize them like that. Impulses can come and be acted on with awareness... and even as the person is following through, they are paying attention (even if they don't understand why the impulses are coming, or where they might lead). It is equally true that people can be unaware about anything. As for enthusiasm, I've seen people with enthusiasm who have little awareness... and I'm not sure that enthusiasm is "non-automatic". Don't you ever just fill up with unexpected excitement over something, without needing to foster the enthusiasm?

The way I would answer your thread question is that these words represent two separate things which may ride alongside each other, or may combine. Probably like ANY concept or words. I don't think there is a place where one ends or one begins. That's one of the reasons this life experience is so amazing. The combinations and potentials seem limitless.

What is the difference between enthusiasm and excitement? I suppose it is that enthusiam involves a more intense interest and is more focused, while excitement is more unrulely.

Jaded Sage wrote:What is the difference between enthusiasm and excitement? I suppose it is that enthusiam involves a more intense interest and is more focused, while excitement is more unrulely.

Yes, that would be true. Also, excitement has a high adrenalin charge, and that's not physically sustainable: try to keep it up for even an hour, you tend to crash. Enthusiasm is more cerebral and less biological, so it takes a lot less energy to maintain.

Jaded Sage wrote:Where does impulse end and enthusiasm begin?

Go read up on some psychology, behaviour ..etc.

You sure ask sub fundemental questions.