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Originally Posted by James81  I don't think being defensive is ONLY a product of war mentality.
Being defensive can mean you are just trying to survive (whether the threat is authentic or perceived). And I don't think that "trying to survive" is the same thing as "being at war."
Being defensive can also mean that you are on guard. Whereas, being at war, I think, implies that you are actively engaging someone else. Sometimes, a defense is meant for protection. Precautionary. that kind of thing. |
Ah, I see. This is so much more communicative than "brrrt!"
If you're defending yourself against a threat, you're fighting the perceived source of that threat -- you're at war with it. If you're trying to survive, you're fighting death. Likely, too, you're at war with yourself, as I think was happening in this thread -- an inner conflict being projected outward.
I don't agree that being at war means active engagement (in the sense of being on the attack, or being in the middle of a fight). Remember the Cold War? Everyone on guard, everyone defending, everyone being offensive without realizing it consciously.