This is http://www.essayz.com/a8906071.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %TRAGIC IDEAL SEEK ETHIC MORAL SYSTEM ADDICT REJECT 890607 Many people attempt to help achieve control over unwise behavior of people by devising a perfect form of a system of ethics, morality, laws, etc. Such idealists believe that the key to proper control lies in some system of prescriptions telling people how to behave in each situation. Given the ideal system of prescriptions and the proper educational/indoctrination system proper communal order would be achieved. In their view the reason for failures to date may be found in the imperfections of previously used prescriptive systems. Such idealism fails to consider the consequences of the personal rejections of people who fail to conform to the generally accepted system of prescriptions. Those consequences are the same regardless of the particular system of prescriptions regarding proper human behavior. Changing the system of prescriptions will not change the consequences of personal rejections of people who fail to conform to a generally accepted system of prescriptions; unless the system of prescriptions differs with regard to the tendency to reject people who fail to conform. Personal rejections of people who fail to conform leads to personal and communal disintegration. Such disintegration occurs even when the rejections are occasioned by failures of people to conform to some ideal system of ethics, morality or laws. The disintegration is caused not by evil people's failures to conform to good expectations, but by good people's personal rejections of people who fail to conform. Disintegration is occasioned by personal rejections. Disintegration is not caused by people's failure to conform to good prescriptions. People do not like to be controlled, and in general many people rebel against attempts to control their behavior; even if the attempts are well intended and include good advice. People rebel against being forced to do what they "should" do; and will do foolish things in order to resist being controlled. People will avoid doing whatever they believe they "should" do if there is excessive pressure to force them to do what they "should" do. Attempts to control people lead to rebellion and thus to a failure to control. People can not be controlled, and those who think otherwise are playing games of mutual self deception in ignorance of the many ways in which people resist being controlled. Attempts to achieve law and order through the institution of some idealistic system of ethics, morality, laws, etc. are thus attempts which are doomed to disintegration as they lead to personal rejections of non- conformists; and thus to the breakdown of communication channels which are essential to personal and communal integrity. It is futile to focus favorable attention upon prescriptions of how people should behave. It is helpful to focus upon descriptions of how people behave and the consequences of different patterns of behaviors. Once people are well informed of the consequences of different patterns of human behavior it is possible for them to make wise informed choices regarding their own behavior; and to learn from whatever mistakes are made. So long as people are not rejected and communication channels are kept open then all members of a community can learn from each other's mistakes by clearly perceiving and describing the consequences of mistakes made. So long as people are rejected and communication channels are being closed, then members of a community can not learn from each other's mistakes; and mistakes occur at an increasing rate. It is not wise to expect that such foolish behavior will end once it is pointed out. Addicts do not change their foolish behavior just because it has been pointed out to them that their behavior is dysfunctional. Many people are addicted to idealistic notions of how to achieve control over the behavior of foolish people. Compulsive dedication to idealistic systems of ethics, morality and laws is a form of addiction. Efforts to perfect such prescriptive systems are examples of addicts futile efforts to perfect themselves through will-power and self control. Such efforts fail so long as the focus is upon control, perfection, conformity, and ideal forms of behavior. There are many forms of addiction: alcoholism, drug abuse, workaholism, sex addiction, perfectionism etc. Considering how pervasive the various forms of addiction are it is reasonable to look for ways in which addictive behavior patterns might influence thought patterns regarding how to get people to behave properly. Addicts tend to try to control people's behaviors (including their own) through systems of ethics, morality, laws, etc. and appeals to will-power and self control. They seek conformity with some ideal conception of how people should behave, and reject those who fail to fulfill that conception. Those who fail lack self esteem and are victims of personal rejection including self rejection. Attempts to control addiction are thus also motivated and guided by addictive attitudes and patterns of thought and feeling on the part of the good people who are working to bring addiction under control. They need to begin the twelve steps to recovery. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================