‘Better angels ...’
Our better angels need to overcome our inner demons. The five inner demons are predatory or instrumental violence, dominance, revenge, sadism and ideology – in Pinker’s chapter 8. The four better angels are empathy, self-control, moral sense and reason – in Pinker’s chapter 9.
The concept of positive value
A variety of different words are being used to refer to a set of broadly similar concepts:
‘Better angels’, empathy, moral sense (Steven Pinker), harmonious relations (John Burton), dialogue, peace, positive peace, social improvement (David Dunn on JB), good relations (International Alert and Talk for a Change), love (Mitchell, Richardson), cooperation (CRS Rules), positivity (John Gottman), positive psychology (Seligman), value (Burt)
The neglect of positive value
‘Today, we know very little about peace. Why? Because we do not study peace. We study war, violence, aggression and conflict – peace in the context of those states and processes – but few study peace directly...
... marital happiness and stability ... qualitatively different conditions ... movements to study positive processes came more into vogue ... need to have enough emotional positivity ... ’ (Coleman, 2013, p. 101, 103, 106) (see also John Burton)
The pervasiveness of the concept of value
The notion of value is found at all levels of society.
The notion of value is found in all spheres of society.
The notion of value is found in very many disciplines ...
... it is found in the humanities and in the sciences ...
... in theory and in practice.
A social modelling approach
What should be? Positivity and social improvement – mathematical accounts
The design of society
See files below:
‘The design of society’
‘... BSOS ...’ [UK’s Building Stability Overseas Strategy] - talk and slides
References
Coleman, P. T. (2013) Crises and opportunities. Six contemporary challenges for increasing probabilities for sustainable peace. International Journal of Conflict Engagement and Resolution. 1, 1, 96-113.