1 Topic by Justinian I (edited by Justinian I 30-Apr-2008 05:17:27)

  • Posts: 3,373

Topic: Ideology for Adaptability

History has time and time again provided us with ample examples of groups and individuals sinking in to decline and even ruin because of an inability to consider or adapt to the circumstances they faced. A surprising number of cases for this inability is linked to ideology or culture, such as the Spartans refusal to adopt the new innovations in warfare characteristic of especially Thebes, remaining confident in the older ways of fighting. A second example is the Prussian army getting owned at Jena by Napoleon I, by marching in parade-like formation toward French troops mounted on roof tops. The Prussian generals placed too much value on the superiority of their discipline, and would not see that this formula was ineffective against Napoleon's strategy that favored mobility and speed. A third series of examples were heads of states who were unable to see reality through a realistic lens and instead pushed through or vehemently defended what they thought was ideal when those ideals guaranteed their ruin, such as Charles X of France, Nicholas II of Russia, and Charles I of England. They would not consider the practical reality they faced and adapt to that reality to capitalize on their options and opportunities.

These maladaptive results are frequently caused by rigid perceptions on behalf of those making decisions, or bold new plans that have not been tested with effectiveness and efficiency in their favor. Ideology is a good example of something people adhere to that created rigidity. Rather than compromise their values for a practical outcome, they will defend them under whatever cost. These people make up a large camp of those who exercise power, and they are dangerous. They are dangerous because they will not compromise their values for the best possible outcome, like George Bush II. The result is a costly outcome.

In order to have the best possible outcome, with human ignorance considered, a very different way of operating needs to take place. It needs to guarantee the most adaptability, it needs to be fluid and never fixed. We can not commit ourselves to a single set of values. The way to this outcome is to aim for results and rely strictly on empirical research. All values that promulgate a fixed method or ought-to-be thesis need to be eliminated in favor of goal-orientated ends and means that are empirically justified. Those that do not fit this criteria need to be eliminated because they are maladaptive.

0 Dislike 0 Post Points

  • Soth
  • Player
  • Offline
  • Posts: 473

Re: Ideology for Adaptability

so what you are saying is that the end result justifies the means to obtain that result?

In matters of style, swim with the current;
In matters of principle, stand like a rock.
                                          Thomas Jefferson

0 Dislike 0 Post Points

  • Posts: 3,373

Re: Ideology for Adaptability

I believe that, yes, but that is not what I am saying.

I am saying that to capitalize on our options and opportunities, decision making needs to be adaptable. To be adaptable we need to understand our circumstances, aim for practical results, and rely on experience and rationality. By contrast, anything that is fixed or rigid like values and traditions such as contained in ideology are rigid and can easily lead to maladaptive solutions. Consequently, this can lead to very costly outcomes. If not costly, not optimally profitable.

Meaning, for a country to capitalize on its options and opportunities, its leaders need to abandon their values, morals and ideologies, and instead strive for results. This can be applied, in fact, to all groups and individuals.

0 Dislike 0 Post Points

4 Reply by Theodora (edited by Theodora 30-Apr-2008 08:27:59)

  • Posts: 399
  • Tag points: 186

Re: Ideology for Adaptability

And yet it is these "rigid" values and traditions that allow humans to interact with each other. Without them, you would have difficulty accurately predicting what another human might do and without being able to predict his actions, you would never be able to trust him. Because trust is the ability to predict how another will behave and react. Without trust, many modern human interactions aren't feasible.

Of course the government could start imposing laws and values on its citizens...but then we're pretty much back where we started, aren't we.

The same can be applied to interactions between countries, groups etc.



Now if everyone does it...everything becomes a mess. If one person does it while everyone else follows a pre-determined set of rules, that's when that person can profit.

To serve is to survive

0 Dislike 0 Post Points

5 Reply by Justinian I (edited by Justinian I 30-Apr-2008 12:22:46)

  • Posts: 3,373

Re: Ideology for Adaptability

> Theodora wrote:

> And yet it is these "rigid" values and traditions that allow humans to interact with each other. Without them, you would have difficulty accurately predicting what another human might do and without being able to predict his actions, you would never be able to trust him. Because trust is the ability to predict how another will behave and react. Without trust, many modern human interactions aren't feasible.

Of course the government could start imposing laws and values on its citizens...but then we're pretty much back where we started, aren't we.

The same can be applied to interactions between countries, groups etc.



Now if everyone does it...everything becomes a mess. If one person does it while everyone else follows a pre-determined set of rules, that's when that person can profit.>>

Hehe, and that is a catch I didn't mention. Only an elite few are allowed to think strategically, and the rigidity of the masses gives them a competitive advantage parse. Additionally, I made an effort to specifically mention the leaders or people who exercise power. If everyone thought strategically, there would also be a moral crisis, because there would be no oughts from which to guide their lives.

0 Dislike 0 Post Points

  • esa
  • esa
  • Player
  • Offline
  • Posts: 1,106
  • Tag points: 2

Re: Ideology for Adaptability

>because they will not compromise their values for the best possible outcome, like George Bush II. The result is a costly outcome.

The elite may have different ideas about what is the best possible outcome than the not strategically thinking public.

The inmates are running the asylum

0 Dislike 0 Post Points

  • Posts: 3,373

Re: Ideology for Adaptability

> esa wrote:

> >because they will not compromise their values for the best possible outcome, like George Bush II. The result is a costly outcome.

The elite may have different ideas about what is the best possible outcome than the not strategically thinking public.

A nice skeptical response. But if the elite were trying to achieve the best outcome for themselves, they aren't doing a good job at it. First they have tried to establish a democracy in Iraq, where the circumstances do not favor one in that country, they have fueled terrorism, alienated much of the rest of the world, and neglected to respond to problems in America that could jeopardize them in the future. Furthermore, actual and accomplished strategists like Henry Kissinger and Dennis Ross have expressed criticism of George Bush's administration as being short-sighted and costly.

If it seems they are being idealistic, and accomplished strategists are saying they are idealistic, it's probably true that they are idealistic.

0 Dislike 0 Post Points