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a philosophical question

I have a question that I believe may not have a real ready answer. I am having some trouble wording it properly so I will attempt to explain what I mean.

What makes a vampire what they are? Does it have someone to do with their mental processes? Is it something physical? Is it a change in their spirit from an average person? What I am attempting to discover is why a vampire is a vampire. This is along similar lines as the old question "What is the mind"

Kindest Regards

Olwen

Woah what a question ... hmmm

Like all things, a vampire has two parts; a body and a mind - so if you mean what makes a vampire who he or she is, it is these two things; a physical and a mental difference

If you mean what makes a vampire different from the guy in the street, the answer is spread somewhere in the 6,000+ profiles out there. No two people are the same, no two vampires are the same

If you mean what triggers someone to be a vampire, I believe in awakening - a mental thing that is triggered by something physical (some on here say trauma, some say puberty etc) that makes vampires aware of something already inside them

Hope that covers all the bases

Not having many experiences with Physical Beings that claim to be vampires or living the vampyric lifestyle, i cannot tell u about that, but many of my experiences with psychic vampires lead me to believe that some of them do not even know they are doing harm to others as they do not know any other way or obtaining energy that makes them feel great. Others who know about their unique gifts of draining others of their energy, usually do it willingly as that is all they have known and again still know "no other way" of obtaining the energy they thrive for. These types of vampires drain the energy from beings until they cant get no more and turn to other beings, instead of tapping into the unlimited resources of the sun and earth.

How this question is answered greatly is dependent on how a person view vampirism.

Physically some view it as only those who drink blood or who “feed” off of energy from other people, places or things. So in that it is the predatory aspect and the lifestyle that may become important to these folks.

Then there are those that view vampirism as the spiritual, an attempt to alter their spirit to the extent that the supernatural occurs and they are then able to create a form of eternal being. This type of view goes far more into the esoteric and beliefs of the individuals.

Its important to look from all the angles. Since reading the question, I have spent a great deel of time thinking of how to come up with a suitable answer. reading everyone elses answers, to post my conclusion would be repiticious, so I choose to simplify it by stating I strongely agree with what Artemka posted. He explained it in a very clear, direct manner. Very well done!

Olwen, your question is also your answer.

I agree with idbeholda. You give yourself your answers within your questions. I would suggest doing more research on where vampires come from and where they are today. You should be able to seek & find your answers within the information.

Well every one is different, so who makes you a vampire is kind of a very open-ended type of answer. I myself am a psy vamp. But, there was nothing that happened in my life to "make" me this way. I have been this way for as long as I can remember. It was not a decision to be chosen by me.

My apologies.. I meant what makes one a vampire...

I also do not pretend to know all of the answers. I'm simply stating what I have incurred from my own experiences.

Ones own experiences are the best teachers. I happened to have things in my life that caused my awakening to what lay dormant. As things progress more things awaken.

I am not sure I can explaine it fully. But its a bit of all the things you mentioned.

Yes I think differentally. I see friends as sorces of energy and things like that. A friend has said when I am low I tend to look at them like they are food. I teased them calling them different foods. I am lucky that they know what i am.. and that I wiould not fee without permission.

I see things different than other people and i think being a vampire is part of that. Keeps me tied closer to orther parts of my being that some are not so aware of.

There is not one thing that makes a vampire a vampire.. its hundreds of small things.. or combos of these things.

and each vampire is different. I do notthink any one answer would be good of us all.

Its my belief that what makes a vampire a vampire is our constant need for life force energy. Without that we would not be what we are

Well, a vampire is someone who has been bitten by a vampire and fed off of their blood (as I understand it). This person will then exhibit the same thirst for blood, weakness to sunshine, etc.

It can be a state of mind. How you think and feel combined with how you act upon your thoughts and feelings can determine your lifestyle. Seeing how there are both sang and psi vamps, it can be mental or physical. Either way you must have some need or desire to feed off the energies or life force of others.

a good question.....

I agree with you noturnal goddess. It may be a state of mind. The sheer physicality does not need to be there to be considered.

i think that being a vampyre is known as more of a mental thing, like feelig for once in your life that you actually are different that nthe people around you, you ask yourself "HOw?" then you eventually work your wya to being a vampyre from there, it is a ll mentally

what about the physical cravings I have heard about? doesn't that take it out of the mind, and puts in on the body as well.

interesting reading...to give the answer an influence of its origin...."philosophical question" I guess all the answers is right
I`m not judgning or claiming I know what is right or wrong here but one aspect that is very important to have in mind when talking about things or anything for that matter is to never close the door for options.....there are always alternatives out there...whatever we seek...or look for.....it just depends on the view and with what eyes we enter into the search..that we see the outcome or conclusion...so basically if we view things from an obsessed or addicted point of view for a particular matter we may lose the side tracks and the references...because we simply dont want to see them...we expect an answer in a particular way...and so we find the answer in that way...or close enough depending on what we base our decisions on...so my idea and thoughts about this is...never close your eyes towards the "unthinkable"...keep an open mind in all ponderings about these philosophical matters and the truth may reveal in front of you...or inside you ;-)

Most common saying I can give is
'Different Folks, Different Strokes'

As bad as that sounds its pretty much the idea behind it all.

Many individuals have a different aspect on what makes us Vampyres. Personally, I believe its an affliction, something we are born with that will either manifest at birth or later on in life. This afflicition is like Diabetes or Something that will never go away, but can be controlled.

While others feel it a magical condition that is afflicted on them through Karma.

Its hard to say exactly what the aspect is, yet everyone can agree on one thing, that many of us will disagree with a lot of theroes except for our own.

- Sin

Now this is a question to which there could be many differnt answers because its at the moment, matters of opinons. I believe its a combination of both mental, physical and spiritual.

Maybe it's a question that doesn't need an awnser, if you know something or what makes something then what makes that something interesting?

In my opinion, a vampire is a vampire b/c they feed off of other people's blood. They don't eat food and they live off other's life force.

Oh Im almost positive that it isnt all dependant on one factor. And if it is no one can tell you the answer, it would only be opinion.

generic deffinition of a vampire

Anyone who gets physical or mental nurishment from intaking the energy ,blood etc... from another being

that being said if your asking what mentaly makes one up the answers are gonna be as vairied as the people your ask each is different and each will have there own catalyst for awakening and reasons that they feel the need to feed

off course this is just my humbile opinion

I can only speak for myself being that who knows how many Vampires exist now and it would be impossible to get everyones thought or opinion on that...I believe there has to be more than one factor...blood, energy from mental and physical strength, and levels

from what iv heard and read up on vampirism is a blood condition where the red blood cells dont carry oxygen through the blood streem so they literaly suffocate with out a decent amount of blood to sustand and cary oxygen to there vital organs
{sry about the spelling hehe:)}

some people in this thread were asking about physical cravings and if this proves in retrospect that you are in fact a vampire/vampyre... To somewhat relish on that question and maybe possibly answer it partially I would have to say that physical cravings can be controlled, submissed, it is not something that needs to be acted upon persay.

A being may have a physical craving for anything, beer, drugs, food, sex, blood, etc. It doesn't mean that the particular being should be categorized into a stereotypical persona.

If one has the craving for blood,, is it really a craving of the body or a craving of the mind? Is the craving something that was put there through the mind to subconciously make us feel like and "pretend" that we are in fact that what we want to be? How is one ever really to know this as a fact/truth is impossilbe for once the mentality of such a thought has been embedded, the physicality of this "thought" will follow naturally. No one being can know all of their subconciousness therefore being unknown if this is actually a real feeling or just a subconcious "pretending" to be.


Bringing this all back to the original question.. you are born what you are. You do not change into something else. If you were born a vampire, then that's who you are. If you were not, then you were not. You do not know of the fact until you become "aware" of the existence of that which is you.

And just to state this again.. I do not pretend to have all of the answers here. This is simply a theoretical statement put out there to possibly open minds to new possibilities that may have not been thought of.

I believe it's more of a mental and spiritual thing than anything else

right.. the physical comes after the mental and spiritual have been rooted

I believe that being a vampire is just as much mental as well as physical and spiritual

that is a very intriging question and i am ashamed to say that it hasnt crossed my mind. i believe that it is purely mental considering the fact that the quintecential vampire does not exsist. there are people that have a blood lust and there are people who think that they are vampires ( i do not mean to disrespect anyone, this is just my simple opinon) so i think it is just a matter or a person believing that they are a vampire

well see its both mental and spiritual because if you take the part of the spirtual, it goes back with you familys spiritual blood line into you and then it becomes mental if the person choose to beleave in their spiritual blood line. so its kind of both truely.

i don't know the answer to that. i only know when someone is trying to read me i feel very drained.

i beleave that a vampire is what it is because of both the physical and non physical. it must drink blood which is a given, but they lack the same morals as every one else.

i think it involves the mental process like u said, every1 i kno on this sight, their transformation involved a mental process they went through

Part of it may be a natural affinity for the Dark Side. The Anti Hero, Rebel, and Rugged Individualist are all rolled up into one in the form of a Vampire. Death is fascinating and supposedly inescapable. Yet the True Vampire overcomes his own mortality. The level of eroticism a Vampire has
is immeasurable. Adding to the allure.

Too bad you can't find the very first vampire and ask that person these questions!

I believe it is with in the spirit of the person. Over time, the mental awareness of this spiritual differance comes out and so the physical cravings begin. So in short, it develops over time.

I believe that a vampire is just like other humans, just a bit different. Take away the fact that they drink blood, take away the fact that they have a different set of morals.

When you look at what is left you see a human of sorts, who has a mind, and emotions, though he or she might not always let them show. He or she still has weaknesses just like you and I and they need to survive just like you and I, only they have different hungers.

I think a vampire wouldn't classify himself or herself as one, it is the third person point of view on them, sort of like a stereotype.

All a vampire is is just another person trying to get by in this world.

What makes us, us?

Hmmm... a spiritual change. As many believe its a physical life style and acceptence, in many cases, they are right. In some cases, when there are those who truely are afflicted, its a spiritual change that effects the individual both spirtually and mentally.

This is not something that can be obtained through simple means of ritual or wanting to be one so bad, but this is something we are born into.

Something unique in us and that changes us when we are of the age of understanding.

- Sin

I wouldlean towards growing, evoling into something more than just human. I once recall when I was a young. Asking my granpa why do Whales jump into the air, whatis the point of that, he said to me "Maybe there teaching themselves to fly." I looked at him with a weird look, "Gramps, Whales can't fly". He laughed and said to me "Not yet anyway."

i beleive that that would depend on how things where when the vamp was living.... possibly..... or what type of vamp. some vampires are actually still alive, just weird.

The technical definition of 'vampire' is "One who drinks or consumes blood; A blood-drinker" Though I doubt that was the answer you were looking for.

Psychology plays a bigger part in things like this than most people realize. The answer to this question lies within the mind of the subject.

i think it is what u perceave a vampire to be i beleave it is a none spirtaul being that roams the earth to feed off blood

a vampire is genetically different then their human counterpart.. what trigers a vampire on a cellular leval is called a awakening it can be brought on by trauma or many other things..

why is a vampire a vampire? i believe that there is no one answer to this question. a vampire can be a mesh of many qualities both physical and mental. superhuman strength not possible but unnatural strength can be achieved through mental processes usually triggered by strong emotions, thirst for blood could be nothing but a craving like a drug addict one taste and you could be hooked. there could be many answers to your question but i am unable to conjure one i believe worthy enough...

I believe it is totally in the mind. If you research the subject the mind is able to do the impossible. You have to know you can do it and then allow yourself to do it. Read 2150 A.D. and you will get a better understanding of the mind and soul.

The mind will say one thing but the ody may do another. I think its all psychological. You can feel the need to feed, drink blood and what not but no one is really saying that you have to and that with out it you will die. You are not going to burn like crazy if you step into the sun. I think it depends on self restriction. What you really believe and if you even want to believe in it all.

Indeed this question is difficult to answer. One can try to make a general definition, but every vampire is different, so this is hard to do. The best place to start looking for answers is in yourself. What is it about you that makes you a vampire? What sets you apart from others? The answers to these quetions can be applied to a general answer for all vampires. Take what you discover about yourself and note that similarities in other vampires.

This is definitely a mind boggling question! I would say what makes a vampire is more mental than physical. Anyone can file their teeth down, but to be able to live the lifestyle is as foreign as cutting your own arm off..

Obviously by the show of opinions here it is easy to see that the definition of vampirism is subjective. I would assume then that what makes one a vampire would be subjective as well. I have my opinions on what makes someone a vampre including mainly things like a lust/enjoyment for blood, the ability to 'feed' off the energy of others and a general sense of being outside what is considered more quote unquote normal human behavior. I do not think being a vampire is purely mental or purely physical but as it has been stated by others I do agree that what makes an individual a vampire is dependant on the individual themselves and what awakens them to the knowledge of being a vampire is dependant on the individual as well.

For me, a vampire is anyone who drinks blood on a regular basis. Psi vampires are very new to me, and I don't know what to think about that subject. I'm a vampire because of a deal with my christian God, a true love, and one of the only ways I can really be who I am.

mmm... interesting question, and it's good u ask that... because i think other people here want to know teh answer to that, so i only may say to u, that people wants to find their "real way" in the life, so many of us that are interested in gothic subculture, is also people thatl likes the vampire lifestyle, so they're just experimenting and enjoying, and hope many of them have found in it their passion...

You make you who you are

the body and the mind, makes a vampire, a vampire is a been who, is corrupted and split off the life, he is an undead...

i'm not shure that anyone can answear that question for someone else each vampire is difrent . so what make them a vampire is drirectly related to who they are as a vampire.... I think

well.. just my .02$ as a philosopher.. definitions of words depend ENTIRELy on usage, and it's usage that determines meaning of anything.. need an example? think of a chair.. any chair.. yours will be different from most anyone else's.. not to say the other 99.9999999% of people are WRONG about a chair.. it just doesn't mean exactly the same to you.. it seems like you are looking for a definition, not an ideology..
D

I think it is whatever the beholers eyes

A vampire can be different things. To me, when one goes through there own personal awakening, and if they find themselves vampires, then what they go through, what they discover, be it in mind or body, is what makes them a vampire. There arn't specific traits that make a vampire and vampire, it simply depends on the person who is a vampire.

The difficulty in defining what a vampire is lies primarily in the fact that the term itself has changed so drastically in meaning since its first recorded usage in 1047 CE in reference to an Russian Orthodox Priest (Christian). Further muddying these already turbulent historical waters is the continual expansion of the term to include any and all other mythological ghoulies, ghosties, and goblins from around the globe of whom almost any degree of bloodthirsty characteristic is described.

Additionally to be considered is the fact that the original Slavic accounts make no mention at all of blood drinking, but instead described a highly libidinous creature who tended to exhaust his female lover(s) causing them to appeared emaciated reminiscent of the dread disease "Consumption" (Tuberculosis), hence their common appellation as "Nosferatu" (Plague Carrier).

There is one particular common thread to the Slavic "vampire" (as alluded to above)... but so long as all consider their defining characteristics more primarily founded in the blood-drinking "Undead" creature of Stoker-esque fiction, the actual answer to this question will forever remain undiscovered.

that is a difficult question to answer but let me tell you this the first two guesses do not count really vampires do exist but it most vampires choose to change bodies after several centuries to protect themselves and who they really are as apposed to the method of keeping the same body and risk dismemberment or being put in confinement for the remainder of their really long lives.
since we are the silent guardians of humanity and all forms of innocence across this realm we have to adapt in order to survive.
but what this thread asks is very intelligent and insightfull and since i am a lover of philosophy i applaude this thread.

You are what you percieve yourself to be. If your perception of yourself is Vampire, then you are exactly that. You choose who you will be in all aspects. It matters not what others percieve you to be, it only matters who you think you are. For example, if you percieve yourself to be ugly, you will feel ugly. If you percieve yourself to be pretty of handsome, then that is how you feel about yourself. Perception is a powerfull, yet complicated thing.

Viewed differently and thus also preceived diffrently there may be no answer to such a question.
Some people ( like myself ) do not feel like we ourselves are humans nor do we know if we are said creatures of the night.
Me for instance.
Every night my blood boils and pulses fire flares and my thoughts race I cant understand why my lust so great I feel as if I may be consumed than at other times during the day I am tired so very tired and wanting for the night.
Storms fill me with energy and yet I yern for blood and cannot have my fill.
These may just be some kinky fetishes for lack of a better word but Its true what those who beleive themselves vampries have said
Its lonly.
I shall continue this at a later date and I hope to alaborate a point until further time i bid everyone a good evening.

Well Im not sure if there is a answer to this. My oppinion is that if you feel you are one deep inside. If you practice the ways. If this is something your taught. If you have the craving etc. It's the same with identity you want to have. This is my two cents.

According to the fantacy world of Hollywood vampire films, a vampire is one of the undead. To be undead means to be alive, be able to think and not have a soul.

I would say a vampire is any creature that needs to have energy to keep it alive. This energy is taken from blood, semen and flesh or in some cases taken at will by psyvamps.

Feeding off of lifeforce is really what the HUMAN experience is about, too. Think of everyone that you know... the ones that are the most "alive" are the ones that have the fullest lives. The more they live the more life they have.

Cogito ergo sum - I think Therefore I Am

In this day and age it is more so that folks are vampires who believe and or claim to be them.

Woah...deep.

Um...my opinion on this is kind of simple...

one: a vampire relies on energy whether it be blood or psychic, so that would make them have a physical difference.

the question that i have is, what type of vampire are you refering to? the type that they portray in movies? or the type that most people of the modern world consider themselves.

well....i think it's nothing more then a simle transfermation into one thing to another, like a caterpiller to a butterfly. to become a vampire you leave behind the old and accept the new.
thats what i think.

The simplest question requires the simplest answer. Think of it as a literal interpretation of Occam's Razor. Unfortunately, our perception tends to make things seem needlessly complex.

This is a very far reaching question, there are many answers. I feel it depends upon your vision of what is a vampire.

Indeed a True philosophical question!

For some, such as myself: I am what I am.
For others' it's taught, learned or studied to the point ones personal feeling / state of mind or (and I use this term loosely practices) becomes what they seek.

Someone could actually strive to be the direct opposit of their given nature and succeed, yet remain unfullfilled.

Much simpler the Truth to ones self to accept what or whom they are and cherrish it.

Look forward to reading more posts on this one!

Guidacarta Di Nerezza

I think it is a psychological state of mind. It can also be a desire.

What makes one who they are. The lifestyle, their clothing, the way the perceive things. Understanding of how things work in their lives and perhaps others.
It's like asking why are you who you are. We as individuals are made up of different things. Our evironment, society, home life.
Some that have been awaken I believe now have a different outlook on things, people and the world. Not saying that those that aren't Vampires are not aware. But I know for me, my senses are higher, my hunger for life is more intense. Where as before I was awaken, I walked in the shadow of what everyone thought I should be.

I believe it is in the spirit. The body is but the carrier of the soul, and can be recycled and exchanged for a new one. A spirit is forever. If someone is a vampire, it has nothing much to do with their body. The blood lust is in the mind and soul, as they come together. But that is in my belief, take it as you will.

A pyschiatrist might be inclined to say that vampirism is all in the mind and then prescribe some heavy duty medication along with group therapy

Some will say a body with no soul, others a mear shadow livng among others but not really present, as if no one notice no one see until its to late or until they make a move. But still it all depends on each individual view their as many as they are creatures existing I presum.

I think we are who we are and are becoming what we might be. We have become vampires and are seeking to become more enlightened.

It's hard to answer a question like that when the term "vampire" has so many different meanings and definitions.Most ppl who call themselves a vampire are doing so because of the lack for a better word.It is a common term,but needs to be categorized into more complex details to define what makes a "vampire" just that.If your talking about modern day vampires, even still there are more than one kind, and all are unique in what makes them who they are.

I think this question has no true answer, because the answer can lead to another question.. I myself an Psi..... I know I can do it and I know how to control it, but when I was younger I didnt know how to control it..... I dont consider myself any different from anyone else though, and truley ponder if everyone has the same ability..... I believe that maybe there just is no real true answer without it being strictly opinion...... *I could be wrong though*

A superbly taxing question indeed. Bravo. All will agree that "to each his own" and anything of that liking is applied here. Every person is different in mind, body, and spirit. that is what makes humans humans. Vampires, those of myth and those of present, are just the same and no one answer will come to your question, for I to believe that your question contains its own answer.

My personal opinion is that it is a spiritual, and a mental existance contained in a physical being.

From Expieriences and conversations i would say your all right , It just depends on when and where

I'm gonna leech a bit off what I said in my last forum post. I think vampires are an evolutionary step, not even a whole step, up from humans. Mentally, sprirtually, physically or all 3. But it's barely their and maybe just a test by nature to see if "vapirism" will florish.

I agree that it mental,spiritial, and physical. some people say that you make who you are but iI tend to disagree a little.

I must admit that the only experience I ever had with a vampire was falling in love with a psychic vampire.
Of course I didn't knew what exactly he was but when I found out about this I could finally explain his perversion..
Not a pleasant experience trust me...
These ''things'' live to destroy others until they are destroyed by theirselves. Whether they know it and use it intentionally or not, their downfall is sure.
Take my word for it, you don't need something like that in your life. Avoid them or do them some good if you will. Destroy them...

Agree's with the darkx....

i think there some many kind of vampires!!
o.O

+++DERIL+++

we are who we are its a state of mind

Some think in the mentality of "We are who we choose to be." but that doesn't fall onto modern day vampirism. It's mainly a physical condition of not being able to produce your own bio-energy. So thus we need to feed on someone else in order to compensate for that lack of bio-energy. Through blood or other means.

well it's to many opinions but true is just one...you will find an answer..trust me i find it

Webster's dictionary defines a vampire as:
1. a preternatural being, commonly believed to be a reanimated corpse, that is said to suck the blood of sleeping persons at night.
2. (in Eastern European folklore) a corpse, animated by an undeparted soul or demon, that periodically leaves the grave and disturbs the living, until it is exhumed and impaled or burned.
3. a person who preys ruthlessly upon others; extortionist.
4. a woman who unscrupulously exploits, ruins, or degrades the men she seduces.
5. an actress noted for her roles as an unscrupulous seductress: the vampires of the silent movies.


But all of the "definitions" aside, I feel that a vampire is a state of mind. A person that feeds on the energies of another, an empath, or even the literal blood drinker are forms of vampires. I, myself, am not a blood drinker but I am an empath, so I "feed" on the emotions of others. You must decide what it means to you to be a vampire...

hmmm i like 4

Well had to come back and throw this in here as I was reading and found this....

Vampires are vampires because they have a vampiric soul. They are mortal, human flesh, but they have something within them that makes them a vampire. There is a DISTINCT difference between a blood drinker and a vampire.

A vampire generally personifies their inner nature as a "beast" or a "thirst" or a "hunger" because it can literally feel as it if crawls around, just below the surface of the skin. There are problems often with mental instabilities from repression of this sorta duality within them. It's a hard thing to come to terms with. It both is and is not separate from them. It's a singularity of the duality; as I said, a bit like a symbiotic existence.

A vampire has a permanent emptiness within. It demands to be filled regularly with blood or energy. It is required to be "whole" and "complete." Sorta like the only way a harmony is achieved; that symbiosis - is through feeding. More regular feeding keeps the vampire in harmony. Infrequent feedings cause disruption leading to weakened state leading to mental degradation and repressed immune system. (a vampire does not die from lack of blood, but rather, from a disease or infection as a result of the weakened immune system as a result from lack of blood)

When in harmony, a vampire is a very powerful creature. They exist in the night in an almost mythical reality. They are simply at home in it. Many can feel when night comes because the change in their perception is that distinct. They also do gain a poise and a grace with their harmony. It just has a price.

A vampire is always a vampire. There is no "cure" for it. One can certainly stop feeding and attempt to make dormant their inner nature, but it never goes away. Never. Why? Because you can no more will your soul away and still be you then can a vampire carve out their nature and still be them.

I would have to say that it is more mental than physical. If you question abilities and events that have happened in your life it is possible that you could be a vampire. It is simply a case of accepting your role in life.

There are those that exhibit the physical traits; however, may not possess some of the other traits that are involved.

However, this is simply my opinion.

i have an opion on this matter however as ive read through all the other comments everything has been covered..

This thread has been automatically closed for length.