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New Paradigm Insight:

The Right Ideas Arent Easily Replaced. Copyright 2014 John Joseph Rohrer Ne !tandard "#$lications .createspace.co% &irst Edition

'icense Note
This or( as intended )or the good o) all. !o $y all %eans * copy and share it )reely.

Introduction In the p#rs#it o) tr#th, an open %ind is essential. -hen one ac(no ledges that all concl#sions are tentati.e, one gro s $etter a$le to challenge ones opinions ith a %ore tho#ght)#l consideration o) the possi$le .alidity o) ne in)or%ation. /any c#lt#ral indoctrinations, ho e.er, enco#rage close0%inded acceptance o) the days dog%a. Co%placency %ay set in, and the paradig%s thro#gh hich one tries to #nderstand the orld are o#t%oded $y deeper insight, to the distress o) those clinging to old certainties. It is i%portant to $e acti.e in $rea(ing this tendency. It does one no good to $e set in ones ays, and one %ay ha.e a %ore positi.e e))ect on the orld $y re%aining open to ne perspecti.es. To 1#ote 2eorge 3ernard !ha , 4"rogress is i%possi$le itho#t change5 and those ho cannot change their %inds cannot change anything.6 A $eing %#st $e illing to perhaps let go o) the concl#sions o) the past in order to adopt %ore in)or%ed perspecti.es in the present and steer %ore %ind)#lly to ards a $etter )#t#re.

The Process of Consciousness The #ni1#ely e.ident pheno%enon e call 4conscio#sness6 %ight $e #ni1#e to the co%ple7 ne#rological processes o) larger0$rained %a%%als s#ch as pri%ates, porpoises, and pachyder%s, tho#gh the %ore instincti.e li.es o) less ne#rologically co%ple7 species %ay gi.e arrant to incl#si.e consideration in this $rie) essay on the s#$8ect. Are they conscious? one %ay onder. I ded#ce that %any, %ost, or e.en all are, )or it is e.ident that ne#rological processes generate it. /ore speci)ically, the %ind appears to $e a )ield o) electrical acti.ity prod#ced $y the co%ple7 str#ct#res o) a creat#res $rain. This see%ingly pro$a$le hypothesis is e.idenced $y a range o) scienti)ic tests sho ing ho di))erent aspects o) conscio#sness are correlated ith .ario#s ne#ral acti.ity. 9ne %ay 1#estion hether it is the ne#rotrans%itters, released and reacti.e only in the %any s%all and isolated synapses o) the $rain, or the electrons %o.ing along the a7ons and dendrites connecting the $rains ne#rons, hich creates hat %ight $e en.isioned as the )l#id )ield e call 4conscio#sness6. I o#ld point o#t ho 1#ic(ly electrons %o.e co%pared to large %olec#les, ho electrons ha.e $een sho n to e7ist as a di))#se )ield the%sel.es, and ho long the 8o#rneys o) electrons are in the $rain, co%pared ith those o)

ne#rotrans%itters. The a%o#nt o) acti.ity re1#ired to create a conscio#s )ield o#ld see% to %e to $e higher, rather than lo er, and so I concl#de that it is li(ely the electrons e))ects hich e e7perience in o#r conscio#s li.es. !o hat are the co%ponent processes o) conscio#sness; -hat #ni.ersal spectr#%s de)ine the %any di))erences hich %a(e each so#l #ni1#e; Along that line, i) sentience is appropriate to species, ho %#ch inter0 and intra0species di))erence in realities %ight there $e; I $egin ith the o$.io#s and $#ild )ro% there, to insights hich %ay $e hiding in plain sight. <o %ay I descri$e realitys )#nda%ental * the 4shape6 o) sense and a areness * to help yo#, the reader, to consider hat ones )#ll attention %ay $e; Each creat#res #ni1#e con)ig#ration o) ner.e endings and receptor cells =interpreted in the $rain> s#pports a #ni1#e sense o) $ody and s#rro#ndings. ?ispositions o) )oc#s )#rther shape this )#ll0$ody sense into the $asic )o#ndation0reality o) ones e7perience. 9ne #nconscio#sly processes this ra data into #nderstandings a))ected $y %ood, e7pectation, and hat %ay $e aptly la$eled @Recognition and Regard6 =Ase, /eaning, and ?anger>. -ho% and hat one cares a$o#t, t#rns understandings into emotions, or @action0energies@, and these )eelings %ay linger in )i7ation, i) #nresol.ed, to a))ect oneBs longer0ter% mood * hich in t#rn a))ects further

#nderstandings, th#s co%pleting the e7istential cycle =see $elo D @The Cycle o) Conscio#sness@>. CogniEance o) this process %ay e%po er oneBs .olition to transcend #nconscio#s a#to%ation and pro.ide a %ap ith hich to na.igate %ental %atters %ore isely. Diagram: The Cycle of Consciousness

Tho#ght itsel) is c#ed .ia do%inant ne#ral associati.e process )ro% c#rrent or recently 1#e#ed tho#ght and the processed senses. /ild re)erence0 hall#cinations, s#ch as concepts, %e%ories, and hypothetical scenarios, nat#rally enrich the synta7ic connecti.ity o) oneBs logical train o) tho#ght, hich or(s in tande% ith the g#idance o) e%otions

in.aria$ly s#ggesting their o n rationality, in %e%ory o) the ca#sal #nderstandings and cares. 9ne feels these e%otions on three $asic contin##%s, hich $oil do n to "eace&ear, 'o.eAnger, and Joy!adness * si7 e%otional e7tre%es hich co%$ine .ario#sly to $#ild all other )a%iliar e%otional states. Each o) these e%otional opposites also lies on a spectr#% ith the Co%edyTragedy dichoto%y, hich is created $y the s#ccess or )ail#re to %eet oneBs goals o) hedonis% or greater conscience. &ro% this #nderstanding o) the psyche, it see%s that the %ind operates 1#ite logically, gi.en its #nderstandings and cares, hich s#ggests )ated deter%inis%, rather than )ree ill, to $e the case )or #s. Get )ree ill see%s 1#ite sel)0e.ident. I o#ld s#$%it, ho e.er, that, hile one %ay feel )ree0 illed, one cannot escape the %indBs logical process, e.en thro#gh atte%pts at logic0less spontaneity. That one %ay itness his or her $eingBs process and identi)y highly ith its tho#ghts, cares, and e%otions, co%pels %e to s#$%it, ho e.er, that the ans er to this age0old 1#estion is that oneBs reality is both )ree0 illed and deter%inistic * that, hile the synta7ic connecti.ity o) the %ind %ay r#n on ca#se and e))ect, e are the consciousnesses o) s#ch logical processes, and that is no %inor point.

Addiction in Perspective 'i)e o))ers #s %any choices * so%e healthy, so%e not. The acti.ities hich e engage in enrich #s ith li)e e7perience and personal %eaning, and it is these re ards hich co%pel #s to %a(e ha$its o) o#r $eha.iors, )or $etter or orse. 9#r atte%pts to create ell0$eing =thro#gh o#r ords and actions> train #s to p#rs#e certain ho$$ies, and I s#$%it that is i%portant to recogniEe hen those ho$$ies are or(ing )or or against o#r .al#es and goals. In this spirit, please consider ho, I s#$%it, al%ost all o) #s are * nat#rally social so#ls att#ned to a har%ony hich, )or %any, no longer e7ists. In the a$sence o) s#ch healthy relationships, one )eels a deep sense o) dissatis)action, as this har%ony is essential )or the %ost so#ls ell0$eing. As a res#lt, %any $eco%e )i7ated on addicti.e %irages o) happiness =li(e %oney, dr#gs, and po er> * ill#sions hich so%e ele%ents in society tragically present as central to a happy li)e. -hile these )i7ations %ay grant te%porary satis)action or relie) )ro% a nagging desire, it is %y e7perience that only social har%ony is ade1#ate to grant %eaning)#l ell0$eing, a )inding hich I hope is shared $y %y a#dience. In the process o) shedding the dys)#nctional )i7ations o) addiction, one %#st re0)oc#s ones priorities, con)ronting dys)#nctional #rges ith %ind)#lness o) the tragic nat#re o) #nhealthy ha$its and hat nat#ral

alternati.e is attaina$le and s#staina$le )or o#r so#ls. The Significance of Emotion 9#r cares add meaning to o#r tho#ghts, generating o#r emotions, gi.ing o#r li.es the significance hich %a(es the% %atter ethically and to each soul hose ill is co%pelled $y e.ery )eelings #se)#l energy, descri$ed $elo D The Acceptance Emotions
Peace * "ro%oting har%ony ith a calm e%otional cli%ate ove * "ro%oting har%ony ith a caring e%otional cli%ate !o" * "ro%oting har%ony ith a cheerful e%otional cli%ate

The Non-Acceptance Emotions

#ear * Resol.ing con)lict $y avoidance Anger * Resol.ing con)lict $y confrontation Sadness * Resol.ing con)lict $y appeal to compassion

Identit" Plasticit" !ense o) sel) %ay $e, in part, the gro#nd )ro% hich tho#ghts and actions e%erge. Cr#cially, i) one is called na%es $y those one respects, those na%es tend to 4stic(6 to so%e degree, rein)orcing the notion o) a )l#id, e.er0changing sel) as static and unchanging in ays. Indeed, it goes deeper * si%ply internaliEing anothers directed de%eanor, $e it tone o) .oice, )acial e7pression, or $ody lang#age, sends the s#ggesti$le %ind a po er)#l %essage o) pro8ected estee%, hich can $e insidio#s in 10

a))ecting ones sel)0concept. A so#l %ay, o) co#rse, atte%pt to %aintain his or her identity $y ins#lating against h#rt)#l relationships, there$y protecting ones sel)0respect )ro% erosion and shi)t, $#t a certain nagging do#$t %ay re%ain ith a person )or so%e ti%e. 9ne %ay )ind onesel) ondering, #nac(no ledged $eneath a %ood o) insec#rityD Am I good enough? A $asic ac(no ledg%ent that e are so s#ggesti$le to the social content o) o#r li.es * even hen its not directed at #s * %ay co%e easily to %any, gi.en ho deeply a are e are that e learn constantly thro#gho#t o#r #ni1#ely gro ing and #lti%ately sel)0de)ining li.es. Get e tend to thin( o) o#rsel.es as the sa%e people thro#gh o#r li.es %any lessons. 3#t is that really as rational as it )eels; I challenge yo# to thin( o) yo#r earliest %e%ories and consider ho di))erent yo# are today. Consider yo#r #ni1#e path o) gro th thro#gh li)es %any interests, ho$$ies, and relationships. Are yo# not a di))erent incarnation o) person no and at e.ery point o) ti%e thro#gho#t yo#r li)e; All that endures is change, to 1#ote <eraclit#s, despite o#r instincti.e i%pressions on the %atter, and %#ch o) this change co%es )ro% o#r interactions ith others. The i%plications o) this are EN9R/9A!. E.ery person in a position o) a#thority has signi)icant po er, )or $etter or )or orse, to a))ect real people. In the ho%e, school, or(place,

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%ilitary, prison, or treat%ent center, e are all s#ggesti$le to so%e degree. It is )or this reason that I ad.ise a#thorities to consider ell, 8#st ho they thin( o) * and there)ore treat * their s#$ordinates o) s#ch o$.io#s plasticity. It is %y assertion there)ore that s#ch la$els as 4$ad6, 4cri%inal6, and 4addict6 ha.e no place in o#r ci.il disco#rse, despite hat the stat#s 1#o %ay thin( o) the %atter. As %any st#dies sho , people change e.eryday and lea.e s#ch la$els $ehind. #unctional Neurolectics: $ealth" %a"s to Engage the %orld Introduction The s#$stance o) a so#ls e%otion, speech, and action %ay 4add #p6 to gi.e the o$ser.er an idea o) hat deeper 1#alities o) character %ay $e present in the so#l ho% one is considering. These 1#alities indicate a range o) concern and %anner o) engage%ent ith the orld hich I call a 4Ne#rolectic6. This theoretical %odel o))ers potential insight to those o) #s ho are atte%pting to $etter #nderstand o#rsel.es and others in o#r li)e. It also o))ers isdo% to e ho see( a %ore )#nctional presence thro#gh hich to engage o#r orld * the tr#e s#$8ect o) this riting.

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In this $rie) e7position, e ill $e e7a%ining three archetypal ne#rolectics hich I )eel are )#nctional )or the a.erage so#l in todays orld. -e ill $e del.ing into the )#nctional ne#rolectics o) The Hero, e7e%pli)ied $y the sloganD 4?ignity, 2race, <onor, Co#rage65 o) The Healer, idealiEed $y the respect)#l %ottoD 4Caring, -isdo%, 3alance, ?e)erence65 and o) The Humorist, capt#red $y the ordsD 4Irony, !illiness, Insight, A$s#rdity6 * the rele.ance o) hich ill $e e7plained in the co%ing pages. -hether yo# are see(ing to %at#re yo#r o n ne#rolectic or si%ply )a%iliariEe yo#rsel) ith the #tility o) the concepts contained ithin this te7t, its perspecti.es ha.e $een laid o#t )or easy digestion. "erhaps yo# ill )ind these ideas #se)#l5 that is certainly the a#thors hope. The Hero The <ero is a %odel o) conscientio#s integrity. Its ne#rolectic is the epito%e o) %oral ascension, thro#gh hich an indi.id#al sel)lessly ris(s his or her co%)ort and sa)ety )or the sa(e o) so%eone else. ?ignity * The <ero %#st $egin )ro% a place o) inner dignity and respect the $asic dignity o) e.eryone =s>he %eets. &ro% a place o) s#ch dignity, a %orally #pright philosophy e%erges, and a heroic presence is ena$led.

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2race * The <ero %#st ha.e grace eno#gh to choose his or her $attles in li)e and )ight those $attles ith )l#id e))icacy. 3y e7isting in a state o) grace, The <ero #nder0reacts to li)es stressors and gains the nat#ral charis%a o) the grace)#l. <onor * The <ero %#st $e o) honora$le intent * ready to help another in any ay =s>he can. -ith honor, The <ero roots his or her $asic %oti.ation in conscientio#s sel)lessness. This is a necessary )o#ndation )or a li)e hich is e))ecti.ely de.oted to the ca#se o) 2reater 2ood. Co#rage * The <ero %#st act#ally )#nction in order to do good in the orld. Get li)e can $e scary, e.en )or heroes. To ha.e co#rage is to act despite ones )ears, and this is the essence o) The <eros strength. The <ero has gro n to )ear e.il5 that e7perience has ta#ght one o) the nat#re o) e.il and o) its conse1#ences )or those o) ones concern. !o The <ero %#st rise a$o.e the )ear to )ind the strength and )oc#s necessary to %a(e a positi.e i%pact on the orld. The Healer The <ealer is a $eing ho does good in the orld $y helping others help the%sel.es, ith the g#idance o) e7perience and ith )aith in other so#ls as capa$le o) disco.ering and i%ple%enting sol#tions to their pro$le%s )or the%sel.es. Insight is innate )or %any people, and %any others si%ply

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need a good so#nding $oard to gro into their higher sel.es and %a(e the .ital 8o#rney to the personal enlighten%ents they need. Caring * The <ealer %#st, )irst and )ore%ost, care. -itho#t caring, there is no healing. -ith caring co%es the dri.e to help. 3y seeing others as orthy o) o#r estee%, e ish to help the% to #nra.el their pro$le%s. This intent is cr#cial )or The <ealer. -isdo% * The <ealer, li(e any$ody, has a ealth o) li)e e7perience to dra #pon as =s>he tries to deal e))ecti.ely ith li)e. In a healing conte7t, ones digestions o) li)e str#ggles and s#ccesses are essential to ones atte%pts to e%pathiEe and relate ith another so#ls distress. 3alance * The <ealer %#st consider iss#es in $alance to a.oid the tendency to $e %yopic in ones assess%ents. It %ay $e ise to consider that there %ay $e %any .alid points o) .ie and %any #ni1#e )acets o) process regarding a $eings )#nction and dys)#nction. ?e)erence * The <ealer does not tr#ly (no hat it is li(e to $e another person. 9ne tries to aid in anothers sel)0disco.ery, $#t that $eings personal gro th is #lti%ately #p to hi% or her to direct and digest. 3y staying %ind)#l o) this, The <ealer places the reins o) healing in the hands o) the healed, ena$ling the e%po er%ent o) =s>he ho see(s to resol.e iss#es and gro into a $etter .ersion o) his or her #ni1#e sel).

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The Humorist The <#%orist ser.es an i%portant )#nction * to $ring le.ity to his or her orld. -hen h#%or is at play, stresses %elt a ay, and li)e is )elt as co%edy again. It )alls #pon #s, then, to train o#rsel.es in the ays o) h#%or, so that e %ay $etter cope ith li)e and teach others to do the sa%e. Irony * The <#%orist (no s int#iti.ely that spea(ing in play)#l irony is ho one %ay help to $righten %oods and enco#rage la#ghter. !o irony is presented, and the sense o) s#ch irony as ridic#lo#s s#rprises #s ith the tension0s#$li%ation o) a la#gh. !illiness * The <#%orist is intentionally silly in his or her approach to dialog#e, entertaining tho#ghts $eyond the st#))iness o) dry e7changes on serio#s %atters. !illiness see(s to %a(e light o) the %o%ent, in the interest o) greater 8oy and ar%er $onds in li)e. Insight * The <#%orist #tiliEes insight to highlight iss#es. The )oc#s o) ones insight is the s#$8ect o) the 8o(e, and the 8o(e ser.es to ill#%inate the point o) the insight in a no.el ay. -ith insight, h#%or gains .ital rele.ance and pi1#es recepti.e indi.id#als interest. A$s#rdity * The <#%orist senses a$s#rdity in his or her prospecti.e co%%#nications, t#rning phrases o#t o) $asic contradictions, to inspire a co%ic high. It is the a$s#rdity o) irony hich %a(es it )#nny,

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the a$s#rdity o) silliness hich %a(es #s la#gh, and the a$s#rdity o) insight hich creates a or(ing 8o(e. In h#%or, the a$s#rdity is (ey. The Ethics of $umor <#%or =the a$s#rd> delights in la#ghters $right appreciation. -rong is ..right, in h#%ors sight, here dissonance rings )ree in seiE#res 8oy, itho#t a care that rong is rong, not so%eho right, that tragedys not co%edy, in tr#th, that happiness in horror contradicts the conscience and addicts the so#l to in.erse ethic, th#s eroding ones integrity o) $asic social care. Get, this is not to say that h#%or %#st ride others pain5 a$s#rdity e7ists in %any )or%s $esides the $ad, li(e si%ple, sel)0e))acing silliness or serendipito#s s#rprise, s#$li%e as stress0resol.ing $oon #pon the %ood that %a(es one )eel so $#$$ly, open, and %ore con)idently )ree. Is there a $etter ay to $e; Joy )or the greater good, ellness, har%ony all see% socially so right to %e, o#r h#%ors %#ltiplying synergistically * the $asic ethical s#ccess o) %ind)#lness in co%edy. evels of Care In the interest o) a deeper #nderstanding o) hat personal .al#es one %ay possess, this essay e7plores so%e #se)#l categories ith hich ones

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conscience %ay $e descri$ed. I organiEe these pathologies o) $asic %oti.ation into hat I ter% 'e.els o) Care, hich are as )ollo sD 'e.el 0 =Nihilis%> is a co%plete lack o) care * a personally and socially destr#cti.e and dangero#s point o) .ie )or any to carry thro#gh li)e. 'e.el 1 =<edonis%> cares only )or onesel), )or 8#st the pleas#re one %ay glean )ro% li)e, heedless o) another $eings possi$le res#lting pain. 'e.el 2 =Tri$alis%> loo(s o#t )or the good o) a select in0gro#p, in short0sighted concerns o) lo.e andJor prag%atis%. 'e.el + =/oralis%> cares )or the ell0$eings o) all good and %oral, gen#inely caring so#ls, hether or not they are (no n to the %oralist. 'e.el 4 =Ani.ersalis%> identi)ies a $asic orth in all $eings and sees all s#))ering as tragic, re8ecting the paradig% o) se.erity, e.en )or e.il.

9nes conscience %ay $e descri$ed $y %ore than one o) the 'e.els, o) co#rse, and n#anced .ariations a$o#nd. This e7ploration is intended as )#el )or the generation o) personal insight and social e%pathy, yet %ay )all short as de)initi.e. 1H

C"cles of Conscience 9ne learns in li)e to either care )or the end o) pain and s#))ering or, perhaps, to cele$rate it sadistically or %asochistically, depending on ones #p$ringing and li)e conte7t. The de.elop%ent o) conscience * hich I posit as the )o#ndation and core o) ones .ery person * is the e7pansion o) caring, past cares )or sel), to greater social incl#sion, e7panding ith ones h#%aniEing perspecti.e on others heart o) intent. 3eing care0free, on the other hand, is a possi$le gate ay to %oral apathy * a ro#te to, and a root of, psychopathic psychology. Get one hose conscience is ell0de.eloped %ay sa)ely handle %oderate0to0high le.els o) care0)ree li.ing, ret#rning )ro% apathy to caring %at#rity with or without the g#ilt o) one ho recogniEes that he or she stopped caring )or a ti%e, perhaps #nconscio#sly and in need o) so%e sel)ish 4%e6 ti%e. This cycle o) g#ilt %ay repeat, perhaps #ntil one can )ind long0ter% s#ccess as a prosocial $eing and li.e care0)ree, g#ilt0)ree, ret#rning to intensi.e caring only as li)e ethically co%pels. This planet o) constant, o$.io#s s#))ering co#ld certainly co%pel one, ho e.er, to caringly search )or * and or( to ard * sol#tions to its ills habitually, as a %atter o) conscienceK and, hile this %ay $e a to#gh path to )ollo in the short ter%, the orld %ay ell $e

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$etter )or it, i) yo# are gen#ine and co%petent in yo#r care. Essential Ethics -e all ha.e $asic )reedo% o) tho#ght, speech, and action, tho#gh with this )reedo% co%e conse1#ences )or others as ell as those i%posed #pon #s $y the orld in hich e participate. Acce tance o) this reality is a $asic ac(no ledge%ent o) responsi$ility )or ones states o) %ind and the res#lting e7pressions o) sel). Get, are all people this %at#re; No, so e ha.e la . !aw is a syste% o) $alancing hat %ay $e called 4&reedo% &ro%6 and 4&reedo% To.6 4The )reedo% to e7tend yo#r )ist,6 one %ay say, 4ends here %y )reedo% )ro% .iolence $egins.6 This e7presses the $asic social contract o) /#t#al Non.iolence, hich int#iti.ely (eeps the peace a%ong e good so#ls ho are dri.en $y a nat#ral desire )or peace, lo.e, and har%ony, rather than these states opposites * e7cite%ent, conte%pt, and horror * .ices )ro% hich .iolence %ay arise. !o, other than a so#ls healthy dri.e )or peace, lo.e, and har%ony, hat reason is there to care a$o#t ones )ello %an; Can one #nderstand the )#nda%ental logic o) %orality at a deeper le.el and %at#re accordingly; Consider the )ollo ingD 9ne is not alone in li)e, $#t coe7ists ith other so#ls. This is ethically signi)icant, in that it is not

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only onesel) ho %atters, $#t others, as ell, hose perspecti.es %a(e sense to the%, 8#st as %ine %a(es sense to %e, co%pelling o#r respecti.e actions in co%para$le ays, ith #ni.ersal e%otions, or 4action energies,6 hich one cannot easily a.oid e7periencing. ?oes %oral criticis% tr#ly al( in others shoes eno#gh to see the inescapa$le process o) ones conscio#sness and )orgi.e it as s#ch; Consider this a seed )or tr#e a areness o) o#r co%%on h#%anity * an atte%pt to esta$lish the .alidity o) the notion o) Ani.ersal -orth, hich %ay $e seen to increase thro#gh ones caring and s#))ering, yet, con.ersely, cannot $e e7ting#ished. "erhaps /ahat%a 2andhi #nderstood this 4#ni.ersal orth6 hen he ta#ght his )ollo ers to 4hate the sin yet lo.e the sinner6. 9ne )eels the tragedy o) e.il $#t (eeps the lo.e hich one %ay learn to see as %orally right, )ro% a certain ethical perspecti.e. 9) co#rse, e.il %#st $e dealt ith, )or the clos#re o) those a))ected, as ell as )or the pre.ention o) )#t#re cri%e. -itho#t ethical consideration )or the pres#%ed cri%inal, ho e.er, )#rther tragedy is enacted in the )or% o) the s#))ering o) the ay ard so#l ho% society so pre.alently de%oniEes. Clearly, a $alance %#st $e str#c( $et een resol#te righteo#sness and caring co%passion, as ell as $et een the societal e))icacy o) la and ones ideals o) )orgi.eness and e%pathy )or e.en the sel)ish and .iolent.

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&or those ho %ay not $e so open0hearted and accepting in their .ie s o) those hose hearts lac( $asic h#%an ar%th, I ac(no ledge that s#ch .ie s are arg#a$ly 8#st as .alid as those I ad.ocate earlier in this essay. A $eing in pain, ho e.er, is a horror to $e concerned a$o#t as an ethical $eing, I )eel, despite that $eings sins. The Pro&lem of Evil Those ho deri.e pleas#re )ro% the pain o) other $eings * )ro% those seen as .irt#o#s or ea( especially * lac( the $asic caring hich g#ards one )ro% the disregard hich res#lts in others pain. 9) co#rse, it is ethical to atte%pt to restrict this $eha.ior * thro#gh e))ecti.e socialiEation, as ell as so%e rational legal )ra%e or( )or dealing ith the pro$le% o) e.il in the %ost $alanced possi$le ay. In this spirit o) $alance, I as(D <o ethical is it to cage s#ch ay ard so#ls in isolation or ith other sel)ish, .iolent indi.id#als; Are they deser.ing o) inde)inite s#))ering, si%ply )or an ina$ility to care, or a rage too deep to heal; /ight it not $e a %ore 8#dicio#s and co%passionate co#rse o) action, )or the greatest and the co%%on good, to e#thaniEe those ho el#de ind#ctions o) conscience * hod only ca#se )#rther

22

s#))ering or s#))er )or lac( o) the opport#nity to do so; The ethical e1#ations )or hich e str#ggle to )ind sol#tions in this li)e %andate consideration o) hat o#ld tr#ly end #p )or the $est * hich e %ay learn to $etter reason, i%ple%ent, and rethin( in o#r philosophies and the res#lting societal policies. The 'oral (enaissance 3eyond di.ine %andates and The Things -e Lno Are -rong, are Real E%otions, the $alance o) needs, and the concept o) %#t#al non.iolence. Those ho s#$scri$e to co%%and%ents andJor la s as their %oral co%pass %ay not li(e this atte%pt to gro#nd %orality in $asic precepts o) ethically sensi$le action that non.iolent and prosocial people #se and act on int#iti.ely. I rite )or those ho are progressi.e eno#gh to ac(no ledge that all actions ha.e a co%ple7 ripple and psychology hich is easy to inacc#rately categoriEe ith 1#ic( 8#dg%ents, and so it see%s to %a(e the %ost sense to c#lti.ate a %odic#% o) considered regard )or co%ple7 %oral iss#es and those on the other side o) the )ence. 9) co#rse, r#les %a(e )#nctional sense )or a sta$le society. 'a s and co%%and%ents ai% to pro%ote %#t#ally )#nctional social str#ct#re $y deterring .iolations o) the social code o) accepta$le

2+

$eha.ior. It is %orally dist#r$ing, ho e.er, that they %ay inappropriately l#%p non.iolent assertions o) personal a#tono%y =as in illegal dr#g #se>, ith )or%s o) .iolence and %anip#lation * hich %ay $e partially e7onerated the%sel.es, as e7pressions o) co%pelling sit#ational tho#ght0 e%otion0$eha.ior 4channels6 =i.e. once one #nderstands hat one calls 4e.il,6 its psychology $eco%es somewhat identi)ia$le, i) o$.io#sly tragic and dys)#nctional5 and $y relin1#ishing o#r anger, e are a$le to thin( o) solutions * li(e e%pathy ind#ction, .iolence a.ersion, and social e))icacy therapies>. These therapies %ight $est $e instit#ted ith de)erence and grace, to a.oid polariEing to#gh egos ith p#shy %anip#lation and the insin#ation o) s#periorityK $#t heres %y 4ta(e6 on the processD E%pathy Ind#ction $#ilds on o#r nat#ral c#riosities o) #nderstanding and the innate contagio#sness o) e%otion, to teach int#iti.e perspecti.e0s itching and e%pathetic regard5 Miolence A.ersion #ses .icti% role0ta(ing and perception o) tragedy to %a(e )or%s o) .iolence a.ersi.e to ones e.ol.ing conscience5 and !ocial E))icacy therapies teach the caring and isdo% hich one needs )or a s#stained ethical0and0e))ecti.e li)e past reha$ilitation, $y in.iting the st#dent to .al#e positi.e, gen#ine interactions and 4shaping6 ones te%pera%ent )ro% ha$it#al hot0headedness or cold0$loodedness, to a resilient ar%th and respect )or e.ery persons basic worth.

24

3#t this predisposes that the dys)#nctional so#l can gro to li(e and care a$o#t people. /any ha.e cynical .ie s o) c#rrent c#lt#re and those 4ta(en6 $y it. Get, dont e gro to care a$o#t those e li(e, ho% e ad%ire or identi)y ith; Is rede%ption a %atter o) seeing others endearing psychology, ith an #nderstanding that sel)ish people are either .ery sel)0endeared =)ro% a li)e o) s#))ering;> or are o.erloo(ing or rationaliEing their $eha.ioral 4ripple6; It leads %e to onderK does #nderstanding ha.e trans)or%ati.e po er )or those ho ha.e stopped caring; Can healthy e%pathy )or any )or%ati.e h#rts o) the psychopathic help to t#rn s#ch li.es aro#nd; 9ne can only hope )or and or( to ard positi.e, prosocial change5 $#t its no g#arantee, I can see, and e7ec#tion is al ays an option. !o hat is the )o#ndation o) a $alanced personal ethic; I e7ist ithin %y sel)ish Eone o) co%)ort, ith sel)less consideration )or others perspecti.es and e%otions. I ant everyone to $e happy, and I act in int#iti.e accordance ith this goal. Its not a per)ect syste%, $#t %y personal and social a areness e.ol.es as I learn a$o#t %ysel) and %y li)es i%pact, and hat else can a caring person do; !pend ones )ree ti%e conte%plating hat The 2reater 2ood %ay $e; !et"s try. To start, e.eryone has a di))erent degree o) %oral worth, hich starts as basic orth, hich e all possess, perhaps, and is enhanced $y ho %#ch one cares and ho %#ch one suffers. I

2:

de)ine orth as the a%o#nt o) pleas#re hich one ethically deserves. 9ne ho has s#))ered and cared deeply )or %ost o) his or her li)e, )or instance, ethically deser.es more happiness than one ho .icti%iEes others ha$it#ally, )or sel)0grati)ication. /any religions honor this logic ith $elie) in so%e #lti%ate 8#stice )or the good and $ad, s#ch as Lar%a or <ea.en0and0<ell . "erhaps, in the interest o) #nderstanding the calculation o) greater good, e %ight entertain the )ollo ing conceptD e.ery $eing has emotions, needs, and potential contributions# 9ne ants the net e%otions in the syste% to $e as positi.e as is possi$le, and the needs and contri$#tions %#st $alance, )actoring in that so%e needs can $e %et ith little direct contri$#tion * synergistically or $y p#rs#ing ones intellect#al interests, )or e7a%ple. -e %odi)y this e1#ation ith consideration o) each $eings orth, o) co#rse. It o#ld see%, at least to %e, to $e ethical, i) perhaps i%possi$le, to enact as la , the co%ple7 considerations o) this )or%#la, ith or itho#t consideration o) orth. A certain degree o) cogniEance o) this %ight ell lead to a %ore $alanced ethic )or those ho %#st %a(e critical social 8#dg%ent calls =a#thority )ig#res especially>, pro.ided that they are o) healthy conscience and o#ld use s#ch isdo%. A conscientio#s $eing, o) co#rse, 8#st ants the orld to $e right, its people caring, happy, and e7perientially enriched. Get, the e7istential

2C

im erative is not only to help )oster ha iness )or the recepti.e, $#t, along the sa%e lines, to help eli%inate suffering, hich is )ear, anger, sadness, or so%e co%$ination o) these three )#nda%ental pains. A $eing %#st learn to e))ecti.ely cope ith the h#rt )ro% hich these )or%s o) dissonance e%erge, and this may =)or all that I (no > necessitate a li)e phase o) s#))ering, the lessons and e7perience o) hich one %ay #na.oida$ly need, to learn to sel)0soothe and to gro to %at#rity as an ethical and e))ecti.e $eing * ethical, in that others s#))ering re%inds a person o) his or her own li)e s#))erings and there)ore leads one to identi)y ith those in pain and care a$o#t it5 effective, in that one gro s %at#rely tolerant o) %inor aggression and )orgi.ing o) its so#rces in ones li)e and in the orld at large, a .ital attri$#te in %any li)e sit#ations in hich e.en $alanced asserti.eness is ine))ecti.e, so apathetic are po er)#l .icti%iEers in this day and age. The hierarchical str#ct#re o) 4ci.iliEed6 societies, as opposed to %ore egalitarian li)estyles, %ay enco#rage s#ch a$#ses, hich I atte%pt to analyEe to the point o) c#ring, in the )ollo ing three0part essay 4Ca#ses and C#res o) Miolence6.

2F

Causes and Cures of )iolence Cause $: Domination%Thrill C#resD The ind#ction o) sel)less conse1#ence0 consideration is .ital )or the ti%ely e7tinction o) this essentially e.il tho#ght, e%otion, and $eha.ior =4That is a real person, ith real e%otions, ho really matters,6 one %ight say>. Get, ho %#ch personal progress is really to $e e7pected and $elie.ed as so%ething other than %anip#lation o) the a#thority .ested ith the po er to 8#dge and i%pose p#nish%ent or grant leniency; Ti%e o#ld tell, o) co#rse, as %ight a )orensic psychological e.al#ation. It is %y e7perience, ho e.er, that $oth #ntrained and pro)essional 8#dges ali(e are 1#ite capa$le o) $elie.ing in ironic %is#nderstandings and holding )ast to those %isi%pressions in possi$le atte%pts to preser.e sa)ety, certainty, ego, rep#tation, political sta$ility andJor e%ploy%ent. 9) co#rse, that %ay %erely $e the a#thors own %isi%pression, $#t it see%s to %e to stand to reason in the light o) %y e7tensi.e e7perience $oth as a 8#dge o) character and as one ho has $een so o)ten 8#dged. /ay the scienti)ic %ethod, in the hands o) the insight)#l, $ear o#t greater tr#th )or the socially ine7perienced or %isg#ided to #se as a )o#ndation )or li)es re1#ired e%pathy and rational co%passion. Along this line, it is %y hope that antisocial children and yo#ng ad#lts $e acc#rately diagnosed and

2H

e))ecti.ely corrected $e)ore they ha.e %#ch o) a chance to h#rt the rest o) #s. I cite the %ethods descri$ed in paragraphs + and 4 o) the preceding essay * 4The /oral Renaissance6 * as o#tlines )or progress in this )ield o) #rgently needed re)or% * the )ield o) 4corrections6, hich I ha.e e7perienced as highly a$#si.e and sorely lac(ing in insight)#l treat%ent. -e are all only h#%an, ho e.er. "erhaps this or( o) corrections0theory %ight one day inspire needed re)or%s. 9ne hopes and or(s to in)l#ence a shi)t in the interest o) the co%%on good, hich is so%e hat o$.io#sly the pri%ary p#rpose o) this collection o) creati.e e))orts * to do so%e good ith this li)e, a li(ely aspiration o) the tr#ly re)or%ed as ell. &or those ho are #n illing or #na$le to learn to care a$o#t the ethicality o) an act or state o) %ind, I a% co%pelled to s#$%it that the e7ec#tion o) psychopaths ho are hopelessly resistant to positi.e, prosocial change, is perhaps only significantly #nethical i) tort#ro#s %ethods are #sed in their e7ec#tions. ?eath itsel) is on par ith deep sleep, in %y .ie , as an ethically ne#tral e.ent#ality hich is si%ply, in these cases, the per%anent cessation o) an e.il )or% o) conscio#sness * #nless there is li)e a)ter death, in hich caseK ho (no s; 9) co#rse, this logic %ay $e o) little consolation to the conde%ned psychopaths )a%ily and )riends or to conscientio#s o$8ectors.

2I

I o#ld note that reso#rces are li%ited on planet Earth and s#$%it that, hile all may ha.e a $asic le.el o) orth, e as a people can choose to set a reasona$le standard )or a $eing to li.e #p to * hich is si%ply to li.e in accord ith $asic ethical tr#ths * li(e that one is not alone in li)e, and others %atter too. "erhaps this orld o#ld $e a sa)er and happier place to li.e on ere la s created in cognition o) this ethical logic and tr#e psychopaths not s#pported $y the co%%#nity, state, co#ntry, and orld hich they terroriEe. Cause &: Defensive Anger C#resD Having grace in the face of aggression enables a stable and able res onse# 'o we under% react, with tolerant tact, or assert that we"re hurt and are not without worth# There"s a better way than the bitter way( e) ressing concerns without getting stern is one way which one may harm only that which afflicts harmony, kee ing eyes on the ri*e + greater eace"s new leases on life, waiting there in the care breaking walls down for all who are growing the knowing we need as the seed for such unity in our community"s strife%solving, evolving life# 9ne ho has paci)istic leanings has a certain le.el o) grace * re)raining )ro% 1#ic( 8#dg%ent, gi.ing others the $ene)it o) the do#$t, conscio#sly a.oiding speech hich o#ld li(ely escalate a con)lict, and perhaps practicing a 4lo.e the sinner,

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hate the sin6 approach to others transgressions. 9ne %ay only ha.e so %#ch o) this grace, ho e.er, past hich %ay lie a .olatile Eone o) panic andJor rage =depending on ones le.el o) con)idence * thin( 4)ight0or0)light6> 9) co#rse, greater s#ccess lies in ne.er losing yo#r cal%, cool, and collected state o) %ind, e.en in highly stress)#l or dangero#s sit#ations = hen serenity %ay $e most .ital>. /a(e a co%%it%ent to non.iolence and con)lict a.oidance, and yo#r li)e %ay $e %ore a%ply $lest ith lo.e and 8oy, the nat#ral )r#its o) peace and har%ony. E7ceptions %ay, o) co#rse, $e .alid, as in cases o) actual, hysical self%defense or physically inter.ening in an altercation as a third party. The ass#%ption hich I ha.e %ade in riting this section o) the essay, is that passi.ity and $alanced asserti.eness are the $est sol#tions )or %ost con)lict sit#ations hich one is li(ely to enco#nter. !o%e people, ho e.er, are apathetic in their aggression and %ay see passi.ity or asserti.eness as a ea(ness to e7ploit, or they %ay .ie any anger toward them as a high o))ence to $e dealt ith, ith violence. In these cases, one %ay need to protect onesel), r#n a ay =perhaps to see( help>, or atte%pt to de0escalate the con)lict ith acti.e de)erence )or ones opponent.

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Cause ,: Cor oral -unishment C#resD Consider * $ro(en spirits, re$ellio#s strea(s, i%%at#re internaliEations o) a#thoritarian logic =as in $#llying>, 4necessary6 lying, 4the silent treat%ent,6 #nder%ined relationships, cynical orld .ie s, )i7ation on )ear J anger J sadness, nai.e egos becoming the a#thoritys cynical pro8ectionK The c#re )or the .iolence o) corporal p#nish%ent %ay $e as si%ple as an ed#cation o) its ill e))ects as ell as o) the easy alternati.e * lessons of ethic. 9) co#rse, the a#thority %#st learn, him0 or herself, $e)ore he or she %ay $e a$le to teach another. Consider the )ollo ing three %oral insights, hich I o))er in the hope o) pro.iding so%e perspecti.eD

&#nda%ental A#tono%y * -e are all logical0e%otional $eings, ith #ni1#e perspecti.es, .alid ithin o#r respecti.e #nderstandings o) sel) and li)e conte7t. That e.ery $eing has the )#nda%ental, a#tono%o#s right to his or her o n perspecti.e, e%otions, and non.iolent .olition, is %y pri%ary s#pposition. Asserting ones a#tono%o#s rights in the )ace o) control, hile respecting the a#tono%ies o) others, is one hall%ar( o) a sel)0respecting and conscientio#s indi.id#al. 9) co#rse, a#thorities %ay i%pose restrictions on ones a#tono%y, a .iolation o) rights hich one hopes is $oth necessary

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and acco%panied $y e))ecti.e therapies o) %oral ed#cation.

"erspecti.e Ta(ing * 'earning to acc#rately see all sides in a con)lict a%o#nts to social gro th and is cond#ci.e to ha$it#al consideration. "#nish%ent and re ard distract )ro% any e%pathetic #nderstanding o) the co%ple7ity o) e.ents and %ay ind#ce sel)0centeredness, teaching one to consider the conse1#ences o) actions )or oneself, rather than )or the others ho% one %ay, in li)e, a))ect. E%otional Cli%ate * "eople, yo#ng and old, are $oth e%pathetic and reacti.e * int#iti.ely social $eings, a#tis% and psychopathy not ithstanding. <elping to set a positi.e tone alle.iates stress and con)lict, hile %odeling gregario#s eti1#ette and resilience to negati.ity. An attit#de o) caring ar%th can or( onders, as ell, in %y e7perience, )or a str#ggling a#thority, helping to )oster high regard and )ello ship all aro#nd. A Parenting (ole*Pla"

ChildD 9 N &ineN I re)#se to participate in yo#r c#lt#re o) .iolence, pending yo#r ethical con.ersion to non.iolence and respect )or %y so#ls $asic orth. I ill contin#e to 8#dge yo#r e7pressions o) ethic.

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"arentD -hat; It is )or yo#r o n goodN ChildD No, it gi.es %e g#ilt and anger. 2#ilt added to anger creates e.il. ?ont yo# see; -hen yo# )eel li(e yo#re a $ad person, and yo# ant to h#rt people, yo#re e.il. -hat are yo# trying to do; "arentD Go# did so%ething rongN ChildD /ista(es are to $e learned )ro%, ith appropriate g#idance. That yo# dont tr#st %y intent indicates that yo# ha.e )#nda%ental %istr#st, a dar( and dys)#nctional .ie o) h#%an nat#re. "lease stop pro8ecting that onto %e. "arentD "eople are e.il * they need to $e held acco#nta$le )or their actions, yo# idiotN ChildD A personal attac( * that is not ethical $eha.ior in a logical de$ate. To co#nter yo#r error o) reasoning, I s#$%it that re ard and p#nish%ent create that (ind o) person, thro#gh their )oc#s on conse1#ences )or onesel). "arentD -hat are yo# e.en tal(ing a$o#t; I% gi.ing yo# #p )or adoptionN ChildD Its )or the $est. I need to spread %y enlighten%ent so that the )#t#re leaders o) the orld %ay )ind their ethical gro#nd. "arentD &ine * hate.erN

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ChildD Id say that its $een nice (no ing yo#, $#tK yo#re %ean. The Power Trap Callo#s hearts sho#ldnt hold po er, $#t po er callo#ses hearts. "er%ission to p#ll ran( ena$les 8#dg%ental coldness to e%erge. !#perior stat#s in)lates the ego, and 4lessers6 are less respected. Relationships are lost to the perception o) ones harder heart. This %ay $e ine.ita$le * a#thority te%pts a stal art disregard. 9ne %#st learn to see e.ery so#l as .alid in a %ost $asic sense. -ith consideration o) ones story, tho#ghts and cares gain conte7t. In #nderstanding, e%pathy dissol.es ones ran( and ego. -itho#t the role o) po er, one ret#rns to so)ter heart. <#%anity is th#s restored, and a ca#tionary tale is $orn. !o)ter hearts that (no o) po er (no that its a tragic trap. Authorit": A ast (esort -hen an a#thority 4p#lls ran(6, indi.id#als ho are treated as s#$ordinates %ay )eel )ear, anger, and sadness. Any %#t#ally respect)#l relationship then $eco%es sty%ied as the a#thoritys po er role $eco%es pro%inent. This %ay ens#re that )#rther aggression is pro.o(ed $y $oth sides o) the relationship.

+:

Is this social dyna%ic healthy and )#nctional )or either the a#thority or the s#$ordinate; I s#$%it that it is not. Negati.e i%pressions and e%otions destroy o#r potential )or positi.e interaction, and li)e loses its %eaning )or those hose hearts thri.e on social har%ony. !o hat is the alternati.e; Is there an e))ortless sol#tion hich or(s )or all; There is. !i%ply %aintaining yo#r $asic respect preser.es the ar% e%otional cli%ate. !i%ply e7plaining the di))ic#lt position that yo# are in co%pels e%pathy. !i%ply e7plaining the $alance o) needs ser.es to ed#cate and enlist help in getting along. eadership St"les A#thoritarian * A strict approach hich e7presses aggressi.e control as in, 4?o as I say or elseN6 The )ollo ing are co%%on reactionsD

"assi.e Response * It $eco%es hard to e7press or 4)ind6 onesel). Re$ellion Response * Con)idence sno $alls in de)ensi.e righteo#sness. Con.ersion Response * A coerci.e approach to interactions is learned.

"er%issi.e * A hands0o)) approach hich $asically says, 4?o hate.er yo# ant * yo#re )ree to %a(e yo#r o n decisions in li)e.6 &#t#re $eha.ior ill

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then depend #pon li)es %any role %odels and ones #ni1#e gro th o) personal .al#es. 'o.e and Reason * A ar% approach hich teaches lessons in an cal% and rational ay, s#ch as saying, 4That is a real person, ho really %atters, sa%e as yo# and %e. -hy dont e all try to cal% do n and get along;6 Authorit" vs+ eadership To r#le ith an iron )ist is tyranny, despite the .alid concerns o) the en)orcer. The atte%pt to sta%p o#t e.il thro#gh p#nish%ent, rather than helping to )oster peace thro#gh a positi.e e%otional cli%ate, instills the e%otional trappings o) a dictatorship * )ear, anger, and sadness. Tr#e leadership is a$o#t setting a tone o) caring and rationality hich $rings o#t the $est in those ithin its sphere o) in)l#ence. &oc#sing on the $etter nat#res o) ones s#$ordinates, peers, and higher0#ps, e spea( and act )ro% a respect hich nips con)lict in the $#d. Its si%ple. Try it, and itness the har%ony hich %ay nat#rally e%erge. The Stor" of Sensi&le Sam !ensi$le !a% anted to li.e a long and happy li)e. -hen good things ere possi$le, !a% or(ed to %a(e the% happen. And hen $ad things

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li(e ?anger threatened, !a% %ade s#re to a.oid the%. !a% as yo#ng, tho#gh, and didnt (no hat all as dangero#s in the orld. !a% had to tr#st /o% and ?ad to (no and to teach at the nat#ral pace o) li)e. !a% as .ery c#rio#s to (no their reasons, o) co#rse, and o)ten as(ed 4 hy6 hen /o% or ?ad pointed o#t ?anger. They o)ten %ade !a% pro%ise to a.oid it, once they had e7plained 8#st ho it as so dangero#s. 9nce, !a% pain the% no %ind and started to do so%ething /o% (ne as Mery ?angero#s. 'ittle !a% did not (no it as so dangero#s, $#t hen /o% sho#ted his na%e in )ear, one loo( )ro% her )rightened )ace let !a% (no )or s#re that stopping as the isest thing to do. /o% h#gged her child in relie). 4-ere going to ha.e a tal( a$o#t this thing and staying sa)e. Go# ha.e to tr#st %e, !a%. I.e $een aro#nd )or long eno#gh to (no .6 !a% tr#sted /o% and )elt $adly )or scaring her. 4I 8#st ant yo# to $e sa)e,6 /o% said ith a (iss to !a%s )orehead. !a% as happy to $e sa)e and lo.ed, and so ere /o% and ?ad. !a% %ade s#re to play it sa)er and sa)er ith each lesson and tr#st in the isdo% hich

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/o% and ?ad ta#ght and li.ed as an e7a%ple to !ensi$le !a%. The Path to 'eaning Conscience
=9nes cares )or those hose %oral orth one percei.es>

O "#rpose
=Conscientio#s goals hich one %ay help to $ring a$o#t>

O /eaning
=&#l)ill%ent o) ones p#rpose, granting pro)o#nd pleas#re>

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A&out the Author John J. Rohrer is the a#thor o) se.en $oo(s and the co%poser o) se.en al$#%s o) original %#sic. <is or( e7presses #nder0represented and o)ten #nprecedented insight.

"hotograph 2012 John Joseph Rohrer

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