This conversation of manipulation is revealing some very userful material
for me. The roots of "manipulation" are based in "hand" and are totally
neutral in meaning. It is when we the implied nature of intentional
control carries into one being or system "doing to" another that the
evaluative nature comes up.
I suggest that its not "altruistic" that makes the difference. It is
whether or not the manipulation is in service of the manipulated _in their
own estimation_. I do not mind being manipulated when I benefit. I fully
appreciate being manipulated when it is in the context of helping me make
a change that I am pursuing and that I have engaged the assistance of the
manipulator.
> I also grant that "altruistic" behavior wouldn't be considered
> "manipulative" in the sense that such behavior (by definition) is
> expressed without expectation of reciprocity.
The next part of the response reveals the dangers of the mechanistic,
reductionist psychology that we have inherited. And I think its what
leads to, or at least extends, the manipulation that we are resisting.
>
> I liked your suggestion to replace "drive" with "serve" regarding the
> unconscious, but after 25 years as a therapist using hypnosis and
> unconscious-related techniques, I know that a big piece of behavior IS
> directed unconsciously. I think my reflection on your suggestion, however,
> leads me to admit that perhaps we aren't talking as much of drivers in
> either case, but something of a mutually interactive process.
>
I too have studied and applied hypnosis and therapeutic dialogue. I,
however, have not come "know that a big piece of behaviour IS directed
unconsciously". Rather, I have come to know this as one of the models
that can be usefully applied in some contexts and circumstances.
The psychology that I see an a much more respecting, valid and useful
alternative in organisations in particular (although useful in much of
life as well) is based in approaches based in the study of complex
adaptive systems. That suggests that _all_ behaviours are emergent from
the background, system, accident and interaction far beyond our ability to
see any "drive" as a source. If we consider that _all_ behaviour is
emergent from complex interactions, then we come to very different
interventions, approaches and attitudes towards most behaviour.
--
Mike McMaster <Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk>
"Intelligence is an underlying organisational principle
of the universe. The 'logos principle' is hidden and
perceptible only to the intelligence." Heraclitus