A new model of motivational behavior, described as a ten-level,
meta-hierarchy of the major groupings of virtues, values, and ideals, serves
as the foundation for a new holistic theory of ethics and morality: with
revolutionary applications to behavioral science. The key innovation arises
as a direct outcome of the Communications Theory concept of the
metaperspective (a higher-order perspective upon the viewpoint held by
another). The traditional groupings of ethical terms are collectively
arrayed as subsets within such a hierarchy of metaperspectives, each more
abstract listing building in a direct fashion upon that which it supersedes.
Take, for example, the cardinal virtues
(prudence-justice-temperance-fortitude), the theological virtues
(faith-hope-charity-decency), and the classical Greek values
(beauty-truth-goodness-wisdom). Each of these groupings is split into a
complex of four subordinate terms, allowing for precise, point-for-point
stacking within the ethical hierarchy. When additional groupings of ethical
terms are further added into the mix: namely, the personal ideals
(glory-honor-dignity-integrity), the civil liberties
(providence-liberty-civility-austerity), the humanistic values
(peace-love-tranquility-equality), and the mystical values
(ecstasy-bliss-joy-harmony), amongst others; the complete ten level
hierarchy of metaperspectives emerges in full detail: along with their
associated foundations in behavioral terminology.
___________________________________________________
Appetite/(+R) Aversion/(-R) Solicit/(+R) Submissive/(-R)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Nostalgia/Worship Guilt/Blame Desire/Approval Worry/Concern
Glory/Prudence Honor/Justice Dignity/Temperance Integrity/Fortitude
Providence/Faith Liberty/Hope Civility/Charity Austerity/Decency
Grace/Beauty Free-will/Truth Magnanim./Goodness Equanim./Wisdom
Tranquil./Ecstasy Equality/Bliss Love/Joy Peace/Harmony
___________________________________________________
This cohesive hierarchy of virtues, values, and ideals proves particularly
comprehensive in scope, accounting for many of the major ethical terms
celebrated within the Western ethical tradition. Indeed, it is easy to gain
a sense of the trend towards increasing abstraction when scanning each of
the individually depicted lines from top to bottom. These traditional,
four-part ethical groupings line up perfectly within this hierarchy of
metaperspectives, making it exceedingly unlikely that such a hierarchy could
have arisen solely by chance. Indeed, this cohesive ethical hierarchy
mirrors the specialization of personal, group, spiritual, humanitarian, and
transcendental realms within human society in general: which when further
specialized into both authority and follower roles accounts for the complete
ten-level hierarchy of ethical terms.
____________________________________________________
No App./Punish. No Avers./Punish. No Solic./Punish. No Submiss./Punish.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Laziness/Treach. Negligence/Vindict. Apathy/Spite Indiffer./Malice
Infamy/Insurgency Dishonor/Vengeance Foolish/Gluttony Caprice/Cowardice
Prodigal/Betrayal Slavery/Despair Vulgarity/Avarice Cruelty/Antagonism
Wrath/Ugliness Tyranny/Hypocrisy Oppression/Evil Persecution/Cunning
Anger/Abomin. Prejudice/Perdition Hatred/Iniquity Belliger./Turpitude
____________________________________________________
Although this strict emphasis (on the virtues) is certainly a major
selling point, this virtuous focus can scarcely be considered solely in a
vacuum. Indeed, the true potential for such an ethical system derives
precisely from a moral contrast with the corresponding realm of the vices:
describing a more real-life situation, where virtue and vice typically exist
in concert with one another.
This ambitious task is further subdivided into four separate
subheadings, fully reflecting the comprehensive subject matter under
consideration. Part I is basically a restatement of the author's previous
book, offering a preliminary examination of the ten-level hierarchy of
virtues, values, and ideals (providing a sturdy foundation for the
subsequent contrast with the vices). Along these lines, Chapter 1 describes
the most elementary, personal authority (and follower) roles, as specified
in the "ego" and "alter ego" states. Chapter 2 further describes the
behavioral foundations of this ethical hierarchy: namely, the behavioral
terminology of operant conditioning. In fact, the remaining listings of
virtues, values, and ideals are seen to build directly upon this basic
foundation in the instinctual states: namely,
rewards-leniency-appetite-aversion (as designated in the diagram above).
Indeed, the human sphere of operant conditioning is respectively seen as a
two-stage process; namely, goal-seeking behavior followed by subsequent
reinforcement. The individual initially acts in a procurement fashion (e.g.,
appetitively or avoidantly) in order to be positively rewarded or leniently
spared punishment. In this respect, Chapters 3 to 10 further describe the
metaperspectival extension of this basic system: namely, the "higher"
virtues, values; as indicative of the group, spiritual, humanitarian, &
transcendental levels, respectively.
Part II furthers this discussion with an equally comprehensive
treatment of the vices. Indeed, for every virtue, there exists a
corresponding antonym (or vice): namely, good vs. evil, peace vs. war, love
vs. hate, etc. In keeping with this fundamental theme, each of the ten
(related) classes of vice is further arrayed into a parallel (ten-level)
hierarchy, identical in every respect to that previously seen for the
virtuous mode. In contrast to the virtues, however, the vices are
alternately based in the terminology of punishment (the behavioral
antithesis of operant conditioning). Punishment represents the complete
reversal of the reinforcement format, in that positive and negative
reinforcement is withheld rather then bestowed, whereby discouraging
behaviors judged not to be suitably "solicitous" or "submissive."
These punitive consequences exhibit clear parallels to learning
opportunities occurring naturally within the environment (such as had
previously been seen with respect to positive conditioning). Indeed, the
fickle dictates of the natural world clearly suggest such an innate
understanding of the dynamics of punishment. For instance, a food supply may
become scarce, or vanish altogether. Similarly, a once reliable water hole
may dry up, or go sour. The survival of the individual organism under such
variable conditions relies upon a direct acknowledgement of such punitive
consequences, with previous behavior patterns now abandoned in favor of
searching for an alternative means for reestablishing reinforcement. This
environmental perspective on punishment further extends to a human "social"
context as well, discouraging inappropriate behaviors (in an attempt to
facilitate those judged more suitably solicitous or submissive). Although
the many corroborating details cannot be offered in this cursory context,
they are more than adequately detailed in the main text.
This strict correspondence between virtue and vice effectively doubles
the number of ethical terms to a grand total of 80, with negative
transactions analyzed according to their potential to be converted into
positive ones (and vice versa). Chapters 12 and 13 initiate this analysis
with an in depth examination of the personal, group, and spiritual domains:
focussing upon the cardinal vices, the civil liabilities, and the
theological vices. Chapters 14 and 15 expand this analysis to the ecumenical
vices (wrath-tyranny-persecution-oppression) and moralistic vices
(evil-cunning-ugliness-hypocrisy), specifying the humanitarian authority and
humanitarian follower roles, respectively. Finally, chapter 16 examines the
transcendental realm with an in depth look at the humanistic vices
(anger-hatred-prejudice-belligerence),and the mystical vices
(iniquity-turpitude-abomination-perdition).
This distinctive contrast (linking both virtue and vice) further sets
the stage for Part III, describing many exciting applications to Information
Technology. Indeed, an earlier book (by the author) previously described how
the motivational dynamics of the virtuous mode can be programmed directly
into the computer, resulting in the first ethically-based program for
Artificial Intelligence (patent-pending). The current addition of the
parallel domain of the vices, however, takes this task to its logical
conclusion (in Chapters 17, 18, & 19), serving as the basis for an
all-inclusive "interactive" operating system (taking fully into account both
virtue and vice).
These unprecedented computer applications, in turn, set the stage for
speculations into avenues for further research (as outlined in Part IV),
including more expanded versions of the systems of virtues and vices, as
well as explanations for humor and comedy, as well as mental illness.
A Revolution in Family Values: Spirituality for a New Millennium
by John E. LaMuth M.S. (Counseling)
Fairhaven Book Publishers, P.O. Box 105 Lucerne Valley, CA, USA
fairhaven-books@excite.com
www.charactervalues.com
Publication Date April 2001 ISBN# 1-929649-64-9
Hardcover (4-color, casebound) 320 pages
Extensively illustrated (14 photos, 19 figures, 20 tables)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
PART I - The Virtues, Values, and Ideals
1. Introduction
2. The Personal Power Realm: The Authority and Follower Roles
3. The Personal Ideals: Profiles in Group Leadership
4. The Cardinal Virtues: The Essence of Group Cohesiveness
5. The Civil Liberties: The Foundation for the Spiritual Authority
6. The Theological Virtues: The Role of the Spiritual Disciple
7. The Ecumenical Ideals: An Evangelical Perspective
8. The Classical Greek Values: An Eclectic Perspective
9. The Humanistic Values: The Transcendental Dimension
10. The Mystical Values: The Supernatural Frontier
PART II The Vices of Defect: The Moral Opposites of the Virtues
11. Vice and Sin as Grounded in the Behavioral Terminology
12. The Past-Directed Realm of the Vices
13. The Future-Directed Realm of the Vices
14. The Ecumenical Vices: The Darker Side of the Humanitarian Auth.
15. The Moralistic Vices: The Eclectic Perspective
16. The Transcendental Vices: The Darker Aspect of Mysticism
PART III Applications to Information Technology and AI
17 The Power Pyramid Definitions
18. An Ethical Simulation of Artificial Intelligence
19. The AI Safeguards Embodied in the Ten Ethical Laws of Robotics
PART IV Further Avenues For Research in Powerplay Politics
20. The Accessory Power Pyramid Definitions
21. A "Theory of Mind" Based Upon the Accessory Definitions
22. The Transitional Maneuvers: Humor, Comedy, and Mental Illness
Bibliographic Index
Index of the Virtues, Values, and Ideals
Index of the Vices
Sample a Free Introductory Chapter at www.charactervalues.com
Available on-line at amazon.com
Author Biography:
A highly requested speaker on the lecture circuit, John E. LaMuth has
applied his Master's Degree in Counseling to the cause of Character
Education, including a Private Practice in Mediation Counseling in Southern
California. In his new book, John seeks to share his years of mediation
experience with a broader public, in hopes of similarly beneficial results.
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