Ah Falcon my friend
what you say is true - if you are a humanist and/or believe we cannot consciously alter those subconscious impulses. This is a question of free will. Not necessarily in the 'religious' sense, but rather whether one believes ultimately that our 'brain' has made a decision before our consciousness. There is much scientific debate over this as well as religous
My 'opinion' is that we do have the ability to change how our 'brain' operates as otherwise the ultimate conclusion is that we ultimately are not consciously responsible for our thoughts and actions. (a view many humanists subscribe to). If this IS the final analysis then not only are we 'free' to think and act with impunity, we can also argue we cannot consciously be held accountable for said thoughts and actions. This is a frightening concept as i am sure you can see
My own belief is that we CAN effect our 'impulses' (for me with Divine help though that is a matter of faith and not something i wish to get into). My belief implies taking responsiblity for our thoughts and actions - something that seems to me lacking in some peoples way of thinking these days.
Some people blame God for the crap in the world, others blame the devil. Some blame the politicians others blame religion. Some blame other nations or cultures whilst yet others blame science.
Rarely do people look to themselves and find themselves wanting. Whatever belief one has, be it in a god or in humanist ideology,scientology or whatever, we could all do with talking responsiblity for ourselves AND each other.
Again this is just my opinion and i respect anyone else's differing opinions.
Simply put, let us treat each other as we wish to be treated ourselves and not blame anyone else(or our own 'predetermined impulses') if we fail to do so.