constitution etc. [From Mary]

CSGnet Archive CSG1995
1

[from Mary Powers 950807]

Bill Leach 9508.06

While I agree with you that scrapping and rewriting the
Constitution is a poor idea (with the possible exception of the
muddle over the right to bear arms), it is interesting to look at
the other texts you mention in the light of PCT -

...all people are control systems, and endowed with certain
unalienable rights: the right to satisfy intrinsic needs (life),
the freedom to do so (liberty), and the right to pursue the
achievement of reference states, the reduction of disturbances
and the resolution of conflicts (happiness).

...do unto others as control systems as you would have others do
unto you as a control system.

I don't think that either Christianity or the US of A would have
gotten off the ground with the clunky language of PCT. But the
challenge is not to improve the language of PCT but to arrive at
the point where people understand these poetic and resonant texts
from a PCT perspective (as, all unknowing, many people have and
will continue to do).

Mary P.

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<[Bill Leach 950808.21:50 U.S. Eastern Time Zone]

[from Mary Powers 950807]

Yes, while it is pretty certain that the "founders" knew nothing of
Control Theory, it is at least equally without doubt that they had a
strong sense for an idea that short of preventing one person from harming
another, people are best left to achieve their own goals their own way.

I believe that I heard this first from Dag and is no doubt familiar to
most on the net but I still think that the "PCT Golden Rule" is well
worth thinking about now and then:

"Do unto others as they would have you do unto them."

I admit that I am probably much too enthusiastic about the idea that a
general understanding of PCT would "solve the world's problems". I am
reasonably sure that such a general understanding would "improve" the
situation greatly, but like Rand's "Rational Man" concept, there is
nothing in PCT understanding that ensures "fair treatment", "honesty",
"integrity" or anything else.

-bill