3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Seeing the Good in People
Light Triad, Noble Cause Corruption & Selfish Morality
In an unexpected turn of events, this week’s 3 Ideas in 2 Minutes is again free. Mainly because I’m going to send out a bonus piece on propaganda techniques for paid subscribers on Monday. Until then, enjoy this week’s ideas.
I. Light Triad
A few months back I wrote about the Dark Triad, a set of personality traits associated with particularly malevolent people, criminal behaviour and office politics.
But where there’s darkness, there’s light. Developed by psychologists Scott Barry Kaufman et al., the Light Triad is intended to be a “measure of a loving and beneficent orientation toward others”. It encompasses three characteristics:
Kantianism: Believing that people are not merely means to one’s end but ends to themselves.
Humanism: Believing that every individual possesses intrinsic value and dignity.
Faith in humanity: Believing that people are fundamentally good.
According to their studies, people who score high on the Light Triad measure, tend to be intellectually curious, humble and more satisfied in life. That being said, most people have both, light and dark triad characteristics.
II. Noble Cause Corruption
Corrupt people abuse the power they’ve been given in the pursuit of private gains. Noble Cause Corruption, however, is a form of corruption that comes in the guise of virtue. When we are convinced of the nobility of our goals, we may think the ends justify the means. This makes it particularly sinister. After all, it’s easier to justify and legitimise our immoral actions if they come from a good place in our hearts.
Noble Cause Corruption has its origins in the ethics of law enforcement where it’s a major consideration. Back in 1983, it was still known as The Dirty Harry Problem. Back then, criminal justice scholar Carl Klockars noted how the fictional detective Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) tortures and murders his way towards justice. Much like Liam Neeson in Taken 25 years later.
Source: Noble cause corruption: Do the ends justify the means?
III. Selfish Morality
Seeing the good in our at times selfish selves can be difficult. We might even be tempted to ask: Why be moral at all? Here’s angel investor and philosopher Naval Ravikant with a couple of selfish reasons to be moral:
The selfish reason to be honest is to clear the mind of exhausting lies and to navigate towards people and situations where you can be completely authentic.
The selfish reason to be honorable is that self-esteem is just the reputation that you have with yourself. You’ll always know.
What are other selfish reasons to be moral? For being forgiving, compassionate, or reliable? 🐘
Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com
