Cause-centred Interaction

Basics

Many assert that wealth is merely the means to some greater good. This greater good is usually specified by a doctrine (rather than a simple reason) that explains and defends a position.

Striving for some genuinely held greater good can be experienced as intrinsically beneficial, and such people build their social life accordingly. Their motto: Fight the good fight!

Their recommendations are:

  • Find meaning in life
  • Sacrifice for the cause
  • Adopt an ideology
  • Seek high standards—near-perfection
  • Bring order and structure to living
  • Campaign for change
  • Moralize and exhort
  • Control impulsivity—respond to guilt
  • Obey rules, conscience, and authority

Think of individuals you know who obviously exemplify the category. In doing so, remember that it is the overall pattern that counts—not any particular interaction.

ClosedFind a meaning and purpose in living.

ClosedBring order and structure to your life.

ClosedLook for converts.

ClosedAdopt the ideology associated with your ideal.

ClosedSeek a new and better moral order.

ClosedControl impulsivity and respond to guilt.

Review

  • Are social campaigners sometimes too idealistic and too utopian?
  • Does professionalism lead to experts who are too narrow and too rule-bound?
  • Aren't crusaders, political or religious, too fundamentalist, intolerant and extreme?
  • Does becoming a «true believer» make people too biased and one-track-minded?

The result of intense cause-centredness can be rather divisive. The intense conviction may lead to a neglect of those everyday needs for togetherness and helpfulness, required if community life is to be tolerable.

Originally posted: July 2009