An excellent article, Colin. I wonder if any research has been done into the difference between those who act with agency working for the Highest Good of All Concerned and those tyrants whose agency is selfishly motivated and seek to abuse and control others? Can the latter even be considered agency if agency is removed from another? In other words does agency need to fulfill the law of Amra “as you give, so shall you receive” in order for it to be true agency?
In that true agency is for the Highest Good and is not motivated by egoic concerns, yes. And as an artist and entrepreneur myself I understand your sentiments completely.
Is there not at least one more form of agency? Think of the artist who paints an extraordinary painting (clearly demonstrating agency) simply for the sake of seeing his or her vision become a reality. This artist, in the act of painting, has no thought as to the public good nor is there any intent to abuse and control others. This form of agency is not limited to artists. An entrepreneur can build a business with the same agentic drive as the artist, i.e. for no other reason than to see his or her idea become real.
That's a very insightful observation! You're absolutely right, there is indeed another form of agency that goes beyond the pursuit of public good or the desire to control others. This form of agency, as you eloquently described, is driven by the intrinsic motivation to create, to manifest one's vision into reality. It's the agency of the artist, the entrepreneur, the inventor, those who are driven by the sheer joy of bringing something new into the world.
As I would see it, this "creative agency" is fueled by a different kind of fire. It's not about changing the external world or influencing others; it's about self-expression, about the fulfillment that comes from realizing one's inner potential. It's the agency of Michelangelo sculpting David, Marie Curie discovering radium, or Steve Jobs and Wozniak building the first Macintosh.
Thank you for your reminder that agency is not just about achieving external goals, but also about the intrinsic drive to create and express oneself.
Thank YOU Gavin. The questions you raise about agency, morality, and the Highest Good are profound. I alluded to responsibility and you enhanced that beautifully and wisely with the Law of Amra. The connection between agency and morality is certainly complex. While I'm not aware of specific research on the differences you describe, it's an interesting area to explore. I'll look at it. I think Hegel has some profound thoughts, most likely also in Papal Encyclicals.. I will start there!
An excellent article, Colin. I wonder if any research has been done into the difference between those who act with agency working for the Highest Good of All Concerned and those tyrants whose agency is selfishly motivated and seek to abuse and control others? Can the latter even be considered agency if agency is removed from another? In other words does agency need to fulfill the law of Amra “as you give, so shall you receive” in order for it to be true agency?
In that true agency is for the Highest Good and is not motivated by egoic concerns, yes. And as an artist and entrepreneur myself I understand your sentiments completely.
Is there not at least one more form of agency? Think of the artist who paints an extraordinary painting (clearly demonstrating agency) simply for the sake of seeing his or her vision become a reality. This artist, in the act of painting, has no thought as to the public good nor is there any intent to abuse and control others. This form of agency is not limited to artists. An entrepreneur can build a business with the same agentic drive as the artist, i.e. for no other reason than to see his or her idea become real.
That's a very insightful observation! You're absolutely right, there is indeed another form of agency that goes beyond the pursuit of public good or the desire to control others. This form of agency, as you eloquently described, is driven by the intrinsic motivation to create, to manifest one's vision into reality. It's the agency of the artist, the entrepreneur, the inventor, those who are driven by the sheer joy of bringing something new into the world.
As I would see it, this "creative agency" is fueled by a different kind of fire. It's not about changing the external world or influencing others; it's about self-expression, about the fulfillment that comes from realizing one's inner potential. It's the agency of Michelangelo sculpting David, Marie Curie discovering radium, or Steve Jobs and Wozniak building the first Macintosh.
Thank you for your reminder that agency is not just about achieving external goals, but also about the intrinsic drive to create and express oneself.
Thank YOU Gavin. The questions you raise about agency, morality, and the Highest Good are profound. I alluded to responsibility and you enhanced that beautifully and wisely with the Law of Amra. The connection between agency and morality is certainly complex. While I'm not aware of specific research on the differences you describe, it's an interesting area to explore. I'll look at it. I think Hegel has some profound thoughts, most likely also in Papal Encyclicals.. I will start there!