THE DANCE BETWEEN CHAOS AND ORDER -9

CHAPTER 9, PHILOSOPHY, PSYCHOLOGY, ADVERTISING, POLITICS, AND SELF ACTUALIZATION by Harvey Thorstad Few people realize The philosophical basis for their beliefs. Psychologists of the behavioral modification school Are generally unaware of the materialistic philosophy that Underlies their view of human and animal behavior. Pavlov, Skinner and many others study reward, punishment and similar means To modify behavior. They have learned to modify human and animal behavior very effectively. People in the advertising field have capitalized and expanded On these procedures to sell products and services and To manipulate the populous. Many politicians, too, Have learned to manipulate the public using these tools To get elected and To promote their views and policies. Note these views have a very materialistic, deterministic basis And tend to use reward, punishment, fear and similar manipulative means To control. Frequently the goal of this control is greed or power. Where are ethics, respect, morality, responsibility, compassion, love and joy? Now contrast the above materialistic picture With a mentalistic or psychophysical interactionist philosophical base, Where the forces of chaos play a larger role. Ethics, respect, morality, responsibility, compassion, love and joy abound. To refresh understanding of the role of chaos and the various philosophical views, Rereading chapters one and six is recommended. Humanistic psychologists have promoted a very different view of human and animal behavior. Perhaps partial understanding can be made By looking at Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs.”       Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs     These needs drive human behavior. Before safety needs become functional, Physiological needs must be at least partially satisfied, And so on for love/belonging and higher level needs. For example, a person dying of thirst on a desert Will not be motivated by friendship Until his thirst has been at least partially satisfied. Note that wealth, greed and power are important only, In so far as they contribute to these core needs. By educating the people as to what is possible At Love/Belonging, At Esteem, And at Self-Actualization levels; One can lead Toward a far more joyous world. Instead of largely ignoring our large homeless population, We should strive to at least partially satisfy their physiological and safety needs. This would allow them to function at the love/belonging and higher levels. Instead of allowing our nation to bully other nations And drive them toward the level of safety and physiological needs, We should allow and encourage rising to the enjoyment of living at higher levels. Imagine a world population where the vast majority Have their basic needs largely satisfied. Imagine a world where most are enjoying Creativity, Spontaneity, Problem solving behavior, Lack of prejudice, Acceptance of facts, And other pleasures of self actualization. Imagine a world where individuals and businesses Truly represent and advertise their goods and services. Imagine a world at peace With nations intermingling with one another showing Respect, compassion, friendship, and good will. Hopefully, such a goal can be reached. How to reach such a goal is a subject that has occupied much of my time. I once read, “What man can conceive, Man can achieve.” May it be so.   CHAPTERS: • Chapter 1, Creation • Chapter 2, Destiny • Chapter 3, The Building Blocks Of Religion • Chapter 4, The Self-Image • Chapter 5, Demons • Chapter 6, Philosophy Is Like A Book • Chapter 7, Cosmic Consciousness • Chapter 8, Imagination • Chapter 10, The Sixth Sense, Quantum Mind And Quantum      Entanglement • Chapter 11, Like Attracts Like • Chapter 12, Purpose Text and Photos © by Harvey Thorstad 2011. All rights reserved.

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