[Richard Pfau (2019.07.13 12:38 EST)]
Inspired by Malcolm’s discussion of PCT’s relevance to Buddhism (2019.07.11 1:57 PM), I would also like to point out PCT’s relevance to religions including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
As you may know, the
âGolden Ruleâ? is a maxim found in many religions where, for example, it is
sometimes stated as âLove your neighbor as yourselfâ? (Judaism), âThou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyselfâ? and âDo to others what you want them to do to youâ?
(Christianity), Â âAs you would have
people do to you, do to them; and what you dislike to be done to you, donât do
to themâ? (Islam) (Wikipedia, 2018).
As
Jeffrey Wattles states in his book The Golden
Rule, and fully consistent with PCT and Powersâ views about how conflict
results from attempts to arbitrarily control others: âThe golden rule…enjoins us to take into
account othersâ interests, needs, tastes, wishes, desires.â? (1996, p. 126)
 Â
Powers views, for example, are indicated by the following quotes:
Â
âThe primary cause of conflict between
people is the attempt by some people to control the behavior of other people.
It doesnât matter whether the means are nice or nasty. Nobody knows so much
about the internal organization of another person that it is possible to
dictate a behavior, or lack of behavior, that will not disturb something the
other is controlling, and thus call forth opposition. (Powers, 1998-2004, p.
101)
Â
âattempts to control behavior
arbitrarily
accomplishes nothing in the long run but to produce connflict and
consequent pathology. What do I mean by arbitrary control? I mean attempts to
make behavior conform to one set of goals without regard to other goals (and
control systems) that may already be controlling that behavior
.ââ? (Powers,
2005, p. 271)
Â
âConflict is an encounter between two control
systems
. In effect, the two control systems attempt to control thee same
quantity, but with respect to two different reference levels. For once system
to correct its error, the other system must experience error. There is no way for both systems to experience
zero error at the same time.â? (Powers, 2005, p. 266)
Â
âhuman beings
cannot be arbitrariily
controlled by any means without
creating suffering, violence, and revolution.â? (Powers, 2005, p. 282)
In other words, the Golden Rule is a religious guide for considering and relating to others and PCT can be used to “scientifically” explain why the rule is such a good guide for life – i.e., to avoid conflict between people.
PCT is indeed a meta-theory that is relevant to many areas of life and thought including religion and related philosophy!
Rich Pfau
PS:Â A few more details about these thoughts can be found in my 2018 IAPCT Conference paper titled “Can We Control the Behavior of Others or Only Influence It? PCT, Interpersonal, and other Perspectives” as well as at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRichardPfau/photos/a.184557408766482/331146570774231/?type=3&theater