Face Dangers & Temptations

If only it was easy. The cross-level Precepts for enabling a worthwhile communal existence look simple. But they generally turn out to be rather demanding in practice—and often most difficult when most needed. The consequences of violating these Precepts, which is dangerous but so tempting and common, is spelled out here.

Discrimination

L"7: See Unity ↔ Heed What's Right: L"6

When understanding social obligations-L6_E, we must discriminate a multiplicity of social groups in any domain, and many will have their own distinctive value systems. These groups and their value systems generate distinctive obligations on members. So, from each persons's perspective, alien ideologies, beliefs and cultures are all around. Social interaction amongst different tribe-type groups demands peaceful coexistence. While, as a single individual, I cannot make this happen, it is the position that I should hold and publicly affirm.
More on Value systems-PH6L6 

Value systems are mutually exclusive paradigms, doctrines or sets of beliefs that are prone to engender competitiveness and antagonism, if not outright annihilating hostility. Mutual hostility may have conferred an evolutionary advantage in the past e.g. associated with a tribe's limited resources and territoriality. However, such hostility now seems evil in that cooperation with mutually beneficial solutions is possible: at least if unity is recognized. In any case, a peaceful live-and-let-live attitude is then preferable.

So the Precept R"L7_B ↔ R"L6_S is named: Allow Coexistence.
Effect of Violation ►

If coexistence is not supported, there is spontaneous self-justified inter-personal and inter-group hostility.

The attitude to alternative ideologies and cultures may show up as propaganda-type communications with denigration or attempts to suppress alien perspectives. More severe negativity leads to demonization and attempts to eradicate the other group. However, many beliefs and paradigms (i.e. those located in THEE) are intrinsically ineradicable. This source of evil is not just a feature of ambitious fear-mongering politicians: it is commonly supported by professionals, scientists and other highly educated individuals within their specialized social worlds.

In regard to using personal principles-L6_P, discrimination focuses on the intrinsic distinctive strengths within every individual, as manifested in their life goals, values, and ethical orientations, independent of their group (i.e. race, creed, class, nationality, skin colour, sexual orientation &c.) I am part of this diversity and I should support and sustain it, benefiting from it where possible.

So the Precept R"L7_B ↔ R"L6_P is named: Value Diversity.
Effect of Violation ►

It is common for egocentric pressures, in narcissistic leaders and those who pursue causes, to form inner circles of like-minded individuals who reject and devalue those who think differently. But this rejection of diversity means loss of valuable input for the social group, and demoralization of individuals with new perspectives or unique talents. There is also the danger of groupthink.

Commitment

L"6: Heed What's Right ↔ Do Your Best: L"5

There are four potential Channels due to the existence of two Centres in each Level as shown.

Absent Combinations

There can be no sensible combination of understanding social obligations and imagining the new. One refers to existing rocklike ethical codes, while the other is a free-floating and unconstrained process. Nor does there seem to be a direct combination of using personal principles and being productive. Productivity focuses on practical social benefits while principles focus on ethical positions. In both cases, mutual effects can occur indirectly via other Precepts.

Be Conscientious

An understanding of social obligations directly affects being productive by ensuring relevant laws are followed and customary concerns respected. This is a demand for conscientiousness. The same influence operates upwards: being productive generates social obligations in relation to users, helpers, partners, and suppliers.

So the Precept R"L6_S ↔ R"L5_S is named: Be Conscientious.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Lack of conscientiousness means that quality will suffer, agreements will be fudged, deadlines will be missed, and others will be disrupted. It may also mean breaches of customary or even legal requirements in dealings with colleagues, suppliers or customers. Such harm can have further knock-on effects.

Develop Conviction

Imagining the new is part of deliberately attempting to bring about change. Our response to such change is handled by using personal principles, which may range from the radical to the conservative. These two Centres are similar in that both demand a faith-based conviction in regard to change: conviction about what is right, and conviction about what is to be done. So it seems that the influence of each on the other is to reinforce that. This is the same conviction to be deepened that was discovered in the creativity framework: RsH-G2.

So the Precept R"L6_P ↔ R"L5_P is named: Develop Conviction.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Lack of conviction weakens endeavours generally, reduces your own energies, and inhibits participation and contribution within joint efforts.

Betterment

L"5: Do Your Best ↔ Care about Others: L"4

Alter Paradigms

Caring should address a person's needs. But needs are often concealed, subtle or latent: and then they require articulation. Much of the time we are unaware of our own needs and it is common for business or government agencies to ignore needs in favour of their own convenience and agenda. In regard to creating something new, the use of imagination in the context of caring about others can lead you to see the deficiency of the current approaches. You could then deliver what people need as distinct from what they want. But that means the paradigm governing the existing service or product will be radically altered: price may be slashed (e.g. low cost air travel) or usability magnified (e.g. Apple's iPhone).

So the Precept R"L5_P ↔ R"L4_B is named: Alter Paradigms.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Persistence of behaviours, arrangements, products, services or other activities that are self-evidently unsatisfactory on criteria like cost, quality, reliability, convenience, or effectiveness.

Raise Standards

In being productive, care about others is manifested by the standards that you apply to the interactions and exchanges within the task, project or endeavour. If the other is a customer, then providing a better service or a safer product might be appropriate. If the others are your family, then improving the quality rather than quantity of time in relaxation might be appropriate. If the other is a partner in your project, then improving communications might be the way to show care. If the other is an employee, then a high-morale work environment with opportunities to be creative expresses care. In all cases, care is about providing a better quality.

So the Precept R"L5_S ↔ R"L4_B is named: Raise Standards.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Persistence of behaviours, arrangements or other activities at a given standard when an improved experience for others is both possible and desirable.

Relationship

L4: Care about Others ↔ Become Aware: L3

Show Sensitivity

You are continually in situations that require handling either because it is an assigned duty or to protect your self-interest. More often than not, others are affected, and sometimes not pleasantly for them. If caring about others is activated, you must recognize their feelings, perspectives and wishes when grasping such situations. There is rarely a need for deep imaginative expertise or effort. You must, however, handle the other in a way that is tactful and fitting for all concerned. This applies especially if the outcome is not what they wish or is actively disliked (e.g. you happen to be profiting at their expense).

So the Precept R"L4_B ↔ R"L3_P is named: Show Sensitivity.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Unnecessary rudeness and hurtfulness leading to distancing and dislike. Failure to notice and appreciate the human elements of a situation, leading to misjudgements.

Be Genuine

If you become self-aware as you care about another, then you can relate from wherever you are in your own mind. Furthermore, being self-aware is necessary to sense what is going on inside another person. The process of empathic identification enables you to have a genuine interaction or relationship, as appropriate to the particular situation and person. Again, there is no demand for deep imaginative expertise or effort.

So the Precept R"L4_B ↔ R"L3_P is named: Be Genuine.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

False or mechanical relating which will be perceived and lead to a deadening of the relationship, with possible distrust.

Evaluation

L3: Become Aware ↔ Hold Ideas: L2

Elevate Aspirations

Holding ideals as you get to grips with a situation means that you can raise the tone of discussions and shape the inquiry constructively. This helps you produce a better outcome all round, but does not guarantee it. All you can do is elevate the aspirations that are applicable.

So the Precept R"L3_S ↔ R"L2_B is named: Elevate Aspirations.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Discussion gravitates to the lowest common denominator like expedience, crude emotional appeals, or economic cost/benefit. Opportunities for something better are then missed.

Know What Matters

If you become self-aware while you keep your ideals in mind, then you understand what deserves your attention. It deserves attention because it has values relevant to your ideals. From the reverse perspective, you require sufficient self-knowledge to be able to maintain ideals without over-extending yourself in social settings.

So the Precept R"L3_P ↔ R"L2_B is named: Know What Matters.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Loss of a sense of value in everyday life leading to bad choices and likely harmful consequences. Dissipation of energies and efforts on activities of little worth to you or others.

Tolerance

L2_B: Hold Ideals ↔ Get Enjoyment: L1_B

You can hold ideals and get enjoyment in many ways, but the circumstances play a significant part in both cases. As a result, there are always imperfections.

In getting enjoyment from my ideals, I must accept that all too often my real self does not match up to my ideal self, just as my actual society does not match up to its own ideals. When I apply ideals to enjoyment, I find a similar situation of imperfection. Anticipation often turns out to be the best part of the process of getting enjoyment. Disappointment makes it all too easy to feel outraged or get into a rage. But our egotistic wishes mean that imperfection is an enduring part of human life and the corresponding better Self guideline is to bear frustration calmly.

So the Precept R"L2_B ↔ R"L1_B is named: Tolerate Imperfection.
Effect of Violation of the Precept ►

Excessive and repeated experiences of disappointment. Outbursts of rage. Inappropriate feelings of entitlement. Unnecessary despair based in frustration and disillusionment.

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See a picture with all these Channels in a new tab.

Despite adherence to all these Precepts, you might well conclude that your efforts towards a better communal existence do rather little to remedy society's ethical imperfections. To use your better Self to the fullest and address such issues, you can do more. Not a lot, but more. You do so by concentrating on the Levels where the Injunctions are most polarized. Although you can always focus there, society only permits you to act when the moment comes.

• Then you can rise to the occasion.

Originally posted: 31-Jan-2013