Magical Thinking and War

rednaliknaj · 08-12-2006, 10:45 AM

Hi,

We are most of us fairly soaked in the doctrine that it is somehow our duty always to make the best of whatever situation we find ourselves in. In real life, it is notoriously difficult to discover what in fact is best.

One way to move beyond this, is to relinquish the pipe dream of the best, and go instead for something you can live with.

When people go to war, they want to realise certain aims, of which power, glory and revenge would appear to be the most prominent. The best that can happen, is for them to achieve these goals. But the worst is very bad indeed. Should things go really badly, you might not even be alive.

But as long as you are glued to the imaginary duty of going for the best, you will cheerfully go on risking your own life, not to mention those of others.

One road to conflict resolution, I believe, is to relegate the best-achieving to the nuthouse in which it belongs, and try to discover something both parties can actually live with.

Tataa!

taijasi · 08-12-2006, 11:05 AM

Is what you're really trying to say, that we should have realistic goals and expectations for/of ourselves and others?

Namaskar,

taijasi

rednaliknaj · 08-15-2006, 07:40 PM

I am saying exactly what I really want to say, thank you very much.

As for expectations, I believe the most important point is that we should be willing to revise our expectations. Labelling some expectations 'realistic' rings hollow in my ears, and I really do not think there is anything to be gained by waving such flags.

Tataa!

wil · 08-15-2006, 07:45 PM

This is what Covey tried to describe in the 8th habit, developing not best for this side or best for that side...not a compromise between the two...but a solution which neither can see when they are in the moment...

A worthwhile read and contemplation.

note: He also added a DVD that you watch chapter by chapter, little vignettes to push the message home, that aspect of the book alone, the combination of reading material and an audio-visual presentation is powerful...I'm betting it will catch on.

taijasi · 08-16-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rednaliknaj

I am saying exactly what I really want to say, thank you very much.

As for expectations, I believe the most important point is that we should be willing to revise our expectations. Labelling some expectations 'realistic' rings hollow in my ears, and I really do not think there is anything to be gained by waving such flags.

Tataa!

Okay, but I'm having a hard time seeing what any of this has to do with war! Can you spell it out for me?

Thanks,

taijasi

rednaliknaj · 08-16-2006, 07:46 PM

In my impression, a major factor in the onset and maintenance of war, is the not mistaken idea, that the best imaginable outcome, can only be attained by successfully waging war.

The magical thinking side of this, I believe, lies in ignoring the consequences of waging something less than successful war.

My kind of rationality consists in not risking disaster when you are not absolutely compelled to do it. Furthermore, in finding something you can live with, relinquish the idea of finding the best, and get on with your life and like it.

Tataa!