What is the Relationship between Occurrent and Standing Desires?

The relationship between occurrent and standing desires pertains to the dynamics of human motivation and the distinction between temporary and long-term goals. Occurrent desires refer to the immediate, fleeting wishes or cravings that arise in our minds momentarily, while standing desires are more enduring, representing our consistent preferences or aspirations over a longer period of time. Understanding how these two types of desires interact and influence our actions can provide valuable insights into human behavior and decision-making processes. This relationship sheds light on the complexity of our desires and highlights the importance of aligning our short-term wants with our long-term goals for personal fulfillment and success.

Understanding Occurrent Desires

Occurrent desires refer to the immediate or temporary desires that arise in a specific moment or situation. These desires are often influenced by external factors, such as environmental cues or social pressures. Occurrent desires can be spontaneous and fleeting, and they may not necessarily align with one’s long-term goals or values. For example, craving a sugary snack while passing by a bakery is an occurrent desire.

Factors Influencing Occurrent Desires

Occurrent desires can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:

1. Environmental cues: Our surroundings can trigger specific desires. For instance, seeing an advertisement for a new gadget may create a sudden desire to own it.
2. Social influence: The desires of others around us can impact our own desires. For instance, if our friends are excited about a particular movie, we may develop a desire to watch it as well.
3. Emotional state: Our emotions can significantly influence our occurrent desires. For example, feeling stressed may trigger a desire for comfort food.

Understanding Standing Desires

Standing desires, on the other hand, are long-term and enduring desires that reflect our overall values, aspirations, and goals. These desires are deeply rooted in our personal beliefs, needs, and identity. Unlike occurrent desires, standing desires are more stable and consistent over time. For example, a standing desire to live a healthy lifestyle or pursue a fulfilling career.

Key Takeaway: The relationship between occurrent desires and standing desires is dynamic and interconnected. Occurrent desires, which are influenced by external factors, can either align with or contradict standing desires. When occurrent desires align with standing desires, they can reinforce long-term goals and values. On the other hand, conflicting occurrent desires can create internal conflicts. Standing desires, on the other hand, can guide decision-making processes, prioritize actions, and act as a filter for evaluating occurrent desires. Finding a balance between both types of desires is crucial for personal well-being and growth.

Factors Influencing Standing Desires

Standing desires can be shaped by various factors, including:

1. Personal values: Our core values play a significant role in shaping our standing desires. For example, if we value creativity and self-expression, we may have a standing desire to pursue artistic endeavors.
2. Life experiences: Our past experiences can shape our standing desires. For instance, if we had a negative experience with a particular activity, we may develop a standing desire to avoid it.
3. Personal growth: As we grow and evolve as individuals, our standing desires may change. This can be influenced by self-reflection, new knowledge, or shifts in priorities.

The Relationship between Occurrent and Standing Desires

Occurrent and standing desires are interconnected and can influence each other in various ways. While occurrent desires are more immediate and often driven by external factors, they can still impact our standing desires in the long run. Similarly, our standing desires can shape the occurrence and intensity of our occurrent desires.

Influence of Occurrent Desires on Standing Desires

Occurrent desires can either align with or contradict our standing desires. When occurrent desires align with our standing desires, they can reinforce and strengthen our commitment to our long-term goals. For example, if our standing desire is to save money, resisting the occurrent desire to splurge on unnecessary purchases can solidify our commitment to financial responsibility.

However, occurrent desires that contradict our standing desires can pose challenges. These conflicting desires can create internal conflicts and decision-making dilemmas. For instance, having an occurrent desire to indulge in unhealthy food while striving for a healthy lifestyle can lead to feelings of guilt and frustration.

Influence of Standing Desires on Occurrent Desires

Our standing desires can also influence the occurrence and intensity of our occurrent desires. When we have clear and well-defined standing desires, they can guide our decision-making processes and help us prioritize our actions. For example, if our standing desire is to advance in our career, we may be more likely to resist the occurrent desire to procrastinate and instead focus on tasks that align with our long-term goals.

Furthermore, our standing desires can act as a filter for occurrent desires. They can help us evaluate whether a particular occurrent desire is worth pursuing or if it conflicts with our overall values and aspirations. This filtering process can aid in making more conscious and intentional choices.

Striking a Balance

Finding a balance between our occurrent and standing desires is crucial for personal well-being and growth. While occurrent desires can add spontaneity and enjoyment to our lives, solely focusing on them can lead to short-term gratification at the expense of long-term fulfillment. On the other hand, disregarding occurrent desires completely can lead to feelings of deprivation and restrictiveness.

To strike a balance, it is important to acknowledge and understand both types of desires. Reflecting on our standing desires and regularly reassessing their alignment with our current values and aspirations can help us make conscious choices. Additionally, being aware of our occurrent desires and evaluating their implications on our long-term goals can aid in decision-making that aligns with our values.

In conclusion, occurrent and standing desires are interconnected aspects of our motivational landscape. While occurrent desires are more immediate and influenced by external factors, standing desires reflect our long-term goals and values. The relationship between these desires is dynamic, with each influencing the other. Striking a balance between the two is vital for personal growth and fulfillment. By understanding and navigating this relationship, we can make choices that align with our values and aspirations while embracing the spontaneity and joy that occurrent desires can bring.

FAQs – What is the relationship between occurrent and standing desires?

What is an occurrent desire?

An occurrent desire refers to a desire that is currently active in our consciousness. It is a desire that we are actively aware of and consciously experiencing in the present moment. Occurrent desires are often stronger and more intense than standing desires, leading us to take immediate action to fulfill them.

What is a standing desire?

A standing desire refers to a desire that exists within us over an extended period, even when it is not actively present in our consciousness. It is a desire that persists over time and influences our thoughts, behaviors, and decisions. Standing desires can be long-term goals or aspirations that drive our overall motivations and actions.

How do occurrent desires and standing desires relate to each other?

Occurrent desires and standing desires are interrelated and influence each other in various ways. Occurrent desires often emerge from our standing desires, as they are specific instances or manifestations of our deeper, long-term desires. While standing desires represent our overall motivations, occurrent desires are the immediate impulses or wants that arise from those underlying motivations.

Can occurrent desires contradict standing desires?

Yes, occurrent desires can contradict standing desires. While standing desires reflect our long-term aspirations and goals, occurrent desires are more situational and can change based on the circumstances and context we find ourselves in. Sometimes, our immediate impulses or wants may conflict with our deeper motivations. This can lead to inner conflicts or dilemmas where we must choose between satisfying our immediate desires or acting in alignment with our long-term goals.

Are occurrent desires more important than standing desires?

The importance of occurrent desires versus standing desires depends on the individual and the specific situation. Occurrent desires often carry a sense of urgency and immediacy, as they demand our attention in the present moment. However, standing desires represent our long-term values and aspirations, providing a sense of direction and purpose in our lives. Both types of desires play a crucial role in shaping our actions and decisions, and their significance may vary based on the context and our personal priorities.

Can standing desires become occurrent desires?

Yes, standing desires can become occurrent desires when they are brought to our conscious awareness and actively pursued in a specific situation or moment. For instance, if a long-standing desire to travel is suddenly triggered by a friend’s invitation to go on a trip, it can transform into an occurrent desire that drives immediate action and planning. Occurrent desires often bring our standing desires to the forefront of our consciousness and motivate us to act upon them.