Posted by jack smith on April 10, 2003, at 10:04:49
In reply to Important but less common MAOI questions. Please?, posted by Questionmark on April 10, 2003, at 1:20:00
> 9) This concept never used to bother me much, but for some reason it really does nowadays... If i take a drug that makes me a happier person, a better person, a more hopeful and confident and naive person, and one who can be more easily satisfied with life, then this person is not really me then right? i become someone who i am not. Of course this is the case with things as simple as even caffeine, but still (i have been trying to really reduce psychoactive substance use, including caffeine-- and she was always my greatest love, and..) at least occasional, controlled manipulation of personality is not quite as severe as an overhaul that is daily (as w/ an antidepressant). But anyway, do you think this is ... wrong, i guess? Am i being untrue to myself if i become a different person? Funny how one can hate himself so severely and yet still care so much about this sh*t. But, what you say?
>I don't know much about your other questions but this one struck a cord with me. It depends on how you define self. I suggest you do some reading in the buddhist tradition. The Dalai Lama in one of his books specifically uses the example of antidepressant medication as proof that the self is not just the brain, it is something much bigger and more complex than just that. . . . "Ethics for a New Millenium" --I think it is called. I hope that double quotes works. So using meds in my minds does not at all change who you are anymore than getting a cast for a broken leg changes who you are. "Self" is a much more complex thing than just the brain. Just my thoughts. BTW, I am Jewish, not Buddhist so I am not trying to proselytize here. I sense a redirect.
JACK
poster:jack smith
thread:218087
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030407/msgs/218145.html