The word spontaneous is used in everyday life, and often to reflect something positive. My understanding of spontaneity is where one act's on impusle, without much consideration and thought about what they are doing. Would it not be correct to refer to the quality of being spontaneous as being stupid and unconstructive?

Perhaps not neccessarily - a spontaneous reaction to say, a moment of danger for another person where your 'spontaneuous reaction' might avert it? Also, we should consider that the spontaneity might be from a quick-acting subconscious recognition and action/comment to the event.

Having said that I have on occasion spontaneoudly done and said VERY stupid things

Agreed. This can be applied to many other things too. Uncompromising individuals are sometimes called strong willed. Foolish is sometimes called brave.

There is a difference between an impulsive action, which implies acting under the dominant influence of emotion or in the spirit of the moment, and spontaneous action, which more properly implies it was caused by a natural tendency without external constraints and includes instinctive acts. Generally the connotations of impulsive actions are negative, and spontaneous acts neutral.

Very often, impulsive action is often an immediate response to an external event; this may not always be detrimental, as when I impulsively jump away from a coiled rattlesnake, but more often than not, and especially in social situations, can be in hindsight extremely regrettable. Compare this to the individual who spontaneously pulls over to rush to the aid of a victim of an automobile accident.

Completely different are habitual actions, which may appear spontaneous to an new observer.

Z

Just to throw this out there, I don't think life is very fun when you think everything through.

Risks are part of life, and spontaneity (or stupidity) is absolutely necessary to grow as a human being and to enjoy everything that life can throw at you.

Life wouldn't be half as interesting if it weren't for some stupidity now and then.

I agree that it's good to have a laugh or take a risk, but this can be done thoughtfully or calculatedly. I don't understand what people mean when they use the word spontaneous; it's as if they're attempting to suggest some positive quality. I can't see anything positive about it.

This post has been edited by My Invisible Thoughts: Apr 9 2008, 08:20 AM

But if you do it thoughtfullly or calculatedly, it's not really a risk, because you completely understand the result of your actions.

What's the difference between a robot that looks and talks like a human and a human being? A human being has emotions and impusles. It's what makes us human, and I don't want to live my life like a robot.

Of course, that doesn't mean you should always follow your impulses. That's stupid, in my opinion. But every once in a while it's necessary to just throw caution to the wind and just do something.

I would think that there are many levels of risk-taking, and that the greater the risk, the greater the thought that should go into a decision. I certainly agree that life is a lot more amusing when one allows oneself to take minor risks or to try something completely different and new. But the trick is to understand which risks are, more or less, "safe" and which are critical.
Z

Would it be accurate to describe spontaneity as being unique and original in ideas (imaginative/inventive), since if this is the case, I can appreciate the word a little more.

Spontaneity applies to actions or rather an interpretation of their origin or cause within the actor himself. In a general sense, the origin of an artistic creation could easily fall into the category of spontaneous actions; the artistic will being as unique as the product it produces, it can be seen as original.

But so can a "decision" by a group of boys to spend the summer's afternoon at the swimming hole, having nothing better to do. One might think of a spontaneous act as one that is freely chosen to fill unconstrained time. Looking at oneself, doesn't it seem that what we consider spontaneous acts are generally those in which we have unfilled time with which we can do as we please? Why is it that we seem to feel that spontaneous activity applies to children more than it does to adults?

Z

So, is calling someone 'spontaneous' more an insult rather than a compliment?

This post has been edited by My Invisible Thoughts: Apr 12 2008, 05:59 PM

While it certainly depends on the situation, I myself generally use the word in a complimentary sense. I certainly prefer people who are capable of happily enjoying freedom to those who are timid or constantly do what is expected. One must be able to dance on occasion.
Cheers,
John