Evil & Lust for Power
The Empire Strikes Back
The appear to be unambiguously good and their pursuit seeks what is right. Even if some or individuals on the same make a more limited contribution to the than others, evil does not belong here.
«Evil» is not a positive independent thing, but is rather the «choice of a lesser good». It is what fills the vacuum left by the absence of good. So there are no negative .
has as its evil twin in the Divine Planes. But in the Human Plane, the arrangement is different. Deliberate is far too organized not to be in some measure. That is why organized crime often expands into legitimate businesses. It seems more fitting to regard such «» as part of a fundamental Lust: the Lust for Power.
A Speculative TET
Those who are power-centred are only too aware how much effort is required by work. It is far easier to turn your back on such work and parasite or free-ride on the daily efforts of others. This necessarily depletes the . The Power Lust inflates the ego, and manifests as arrogance and self-importance. The has therefore been speculatively re-drawn with these as the new axes.
Lust for Power
Power-lust then perverts all phenomena, such as they are in the environment of Power. The quadrant becomes the anti-ethics of Dominance and Control, with replaced by the view that determines the law. Rather than compassionate assistance, there is Cruelty. Only by being cruel can a person be sure that the other is submitting and weaker. That is why torture is favoured by power-mongers everywhere. It never provides the truth, but truth is not the goal. The goal is the glory of power.
The Feeling Good quadrant becomes impulsive and degraded with no room for ideals or meaning. Only the remains as a way to blot out reality.
Human nature provides signals that evil is encroaching. When is replaced by Cruelty and by Wilfulness, the signal is guilt, remorse or regret. In regard to feeling good (), the signal is shame, humiliation and dishonour.
However, once these signals have been rejected, and commitment to perversity and sociopathy is wilfully entrenched, then they cease to function. We say the person is hardened or brutalized. Social disapproval, opprobrium or sanctions then carry no weight.
The Power-lust is essentially in nature. Apart from to blot out the world, there is no conception of equilibrium except feeling in control. and are regarded as weak-minded and misguided. Money buys people, and having enough money enables effective solipsism and self-delusion.
Superorganisms attract those with a lust for power. That is what makes large groups so dangerous.
Resolution
The pressure to demonstrate power and experience its glory demands ever more mindless cruelty and release of evil passions. Most people watch in horror as superorganisms orchestrate submission and fear that fills the mind and floods the land. The weak-willed join in. The good-natured give the benefit of the doubt, and the wisest escape.
Eventually, evil burns itself out.
It then takes a rest … as humaneness reasserts itself.
The is replenished.
Humanity survives …
. .… this time.
- Try a quiz on evil.
Originally posted: 7-Dec-2012
All posted material is part of a scientific project and should be regarded as provisional. Visitors are encouraged to think through the topics and propositions for themselves. Copyright © Warren Kinston 2009-2016.
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