a poor eye for power, aphorism 199, The Mechanics of Virtue, Matt Berry

199


We have a poor eye for power, even in its crudest forms.  In the place of actual power we project our behavioral reaction.  We have no eye for the “mechanisms” or “impulses” but only for the consequent display ... for that which has been triggered and not for that which triggers.  Consequently, we cannot distinguish between power and beauty – that is to say, between mechanics and seduction.  And what could be more seductive and beautiful than the superhero of virtue who represents our promotion from a subordinate status ... the overthrow of the dominant?  Here, the seduction of beauty triumphs over actual power and we dominate vicariously – that is to say, we remain subordinate, subtly.



A Human Strategy ** The Mechanics of Virtue ** Post-Atheism



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