Power v Goodness
The Power-Centred Mindset
Every single person's contribution counts in regard to producing goodness. The dissemination of this idea can occur through education, self-development, setting examples, and increases in societal maturity. The 21st Century enlightenment
will be significant and TOP is playing its part here. In the greater scheme of things, as long as we survive, maturation of humanity seems inevitable.
However, there are serious—almost intractable—threats:
- many who lack concern for goodness seek and assume leadership positions
- some leaders have contempt for goodness or see it as a weakness to exploit
These serious threats emerge from the , which is part of THEE: located at . Power-centredness is a variant of , and one of the . That means it is intrinsic to being human.
- See an outline of features, and compare it to the other approaches.
Power-Centredness is Egocentricity on Steroids
All the are egocentric in that they focus on your benefit in your society. It is notable that , a variant of , shares the same quadrant as , which is a variant of .
The numerous applications provided in that posting reveal just how important power-centred principles are for everyone. Having said that, the is no different from any other (doctrine, paradigm, theory, ideology) insofar as it can:
• take over a person
• be socially divisive
• become over-valued and misapplied
• reject and devalue other mindsets
Unfortunately, the differs from other in one crucial way: it advocates the use of any and all means to achieve its own ends. Having obtained dominance, there are further problems in that power corrupts i.e. even those who are not naturally power-centred have difficulty in managing egotistic urges when in a position of social power. How much more corrupt is power in the hands of those for whom corruption is as natural and digestible as mother's milk.
Goodness is Secondary
Goodness is at risk for power-centred individuals unless specific attention is paid.
does not preclude the use of . Even criminal gangs disintegrate without a sense of fairness and other values. However, a person (who is not committed to a criminal career) can judge it perfectly appropriate to apply like revenge, fear or hate. Because is needed to handle adversity, all the are equally relevant for individuals.
Perhaps the most effective components of goodness, the , are likely to be rare or absent from the power-centred person's repertoire. Instead, the infliction of is regarded as a tool in social relations. This is part of enabling a bad e.g.
• taking advantage of another is natural,
• is always an extra, and
• lying makes impossible.
The higher Levels, and , which depend on good motivations, are not given attention.
Power-centred people affect both the largest and the smallest groups in societies: in organizations, in families, in the church, in politics, indeed anywhere and everywhere that people interact.
Leaders Set an Example
The wilful and egocentric exercise of power generates most of the avoidable pain and suffering in this world: naturally operating via leaders. So politicians and chief executives, rather than generals and popes, are the modern day culprits in wider society. In handling them, the first requirement is awareness.
Confronting the Will to Power
The issue here is handling : see details of levels here. During interactions, a person quickly fills a good person with discomfort-L1 that is inherently impure: feelings of distrust, fear, resentment, dislike, disgust, envy and more (dependent on the situation). At the contact-L5 level, the experience may be charming or abrasive, but avoiding such people is possible. However, at the exchange-L4 level (e.g. work), avoidance is more difficult and it may be a daily drain on your energy. Bonding-L3 can be avoided, but not differences-L2 if you are in a relationship.
So the issue links directly to via . However necessary (and they are), these do not touch a power-centred person. It is usually necessary to because that gives you ; then because that . This does not solve the problem posed by power-centred behaviour, and so a method of handling must be found. A countervailing forcefulness is typically required. It can be exhausting.
Other Ideas for Handling Power-centred People
- Turn the other cheek: That rarely alters the interpersonal interaction. Unless it is a manifestation of , it is masochistic.
- Non-violent resistance: That is a power-play, which only works when those in power are few and those resisting are many. However, where those in power are many, then the few will be eradicated: e.g. defamed, exiled, locked-up, bankrupted, excommunicated, ejected, killed. At work, employees may use passive aggression e.g. work to rule, or strikes. It was an ideal strategy for Gandhi in India against the British.
- Cut and run: If the power-centred behaviour is surprising, it may be a reason to reject the initial commitment and disengage. As you are unlikely to be able to change this mentality, it is better to try again with someone else, and make a more perspicacious choice.
- If you can't beat 'em, join 'em: That is a common response. It only works well if you are intrinsically power-centred or ready and willing to function in a power-centred way.
- Alter the context: Usually the context has features that enable or even foster dominating behaviours and power-plays. These can often be altered so as to either induce constructive changes in behaviour, or drive the power-centred person to cause bother somewhere else.
- See other reflections on goodness.
Originally posted: 7-Jun-2013
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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