Philosophy Discussion Forums

Megalomania- A psychopathological condition in which delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence predominate.



Can we all get along?" Rodney King

Is there any more important question then this right now for humanity? I would suggest that there is not. If you take into account the scientific data and statistics that forecast the complete depletion of the worlds entire fossils fuel supply by 2050 and the worlds cities are completely reliant on them, that we can harness enough power to annihilate the entire worlds population many times over and also that the world is run by cabals of descendants of pre-enlightenment nobility lurking in the shadows and pulling the strings through the worlds economic systems all suggest that perhaps this is an important question to ponder.

I also put forth that the question has been asked and answered by the takers, by those who rule the world. Those who feel they are above others because they are stronger, smarter, high born or a combination of these mixed with megalomania that are moved to impose their will upon others as their superiority dictates. Neo-Feudalism is in the 21st century.

Wouldn't it follow then that if one group of the whole has determined that we can not get along, and as long as anyone of that opinion exists in the whole than indeed it is a proof that we can not get along. And if you do agree this is a proof, how do we proceed?

I posted this in the Philosopher's Lounge but I feel it fits well into a discussion about political philosophy. There is another thread up knowing discussing what might be the ideal form of government. I personally do not feel that an ideal form of government exists and one of the main reason is that their is a super class of megalomaniacs in every generation that can manipulate any form of government that exists thus far in human history. Yet when we discuss the ideal form of government the effort to deal specifically with individual's who wield to much power and in a despotic way is not seriously taken into consideration. Communism sought to wipe out any wealthy members of the society who would not willingly give up there wealth to the state but this is unacceptable because all wealthy people are not megalomaniacs. This type of personality in governing fans out to create an inertia of corruption . Think of a pebble in the pond who's ripple affect corrupts everything in its wake building alliances with others who are like minded or who are just greedy and willing to accept as moral a certain policy position to rationalize their complicity.

It seems like this thread is very timely now due to the rise of President Trump and that perhaps could lead to an interesting discussion.

Is there a remedy for megalomania, is that your question?

I am just proposing an explanation about a prevalent dynamic that seems to reemerge time and time again throughout history and stating that it is happening again now in the U.S.A. The remedy is a more informed electorate and less compartmentalization and alienation in our culture and economy. How do we achieve all of this? I suppose these are the questions that need to be addressed here. How did we get here? Why was this polity so susceptible at this time in history, during the information age? The current political dynamic in the U.S seems to fully vindicate the famous critics of democratic systems such as Socrates/Plato.

Grecorivera5150 wrote: ↑June 9th, 2018, 8:03 pm I am just proposing an explanation about a prevalent dynamic that seems to reemerge time and time again throughout history and stating that it is happening again now in the U.S.A. The remedy is a more informed electorate and less compartmentalization and alienation in our culture and economy. How do we achieve all of this? I suppose these are the questions that need to be addressed here. How did we get here? Why was this polity so susceptible at this time in history, during the information age? The current political dynamic in the U.S seems to fully vindicate the famous critics of democratic systems such as Socrates/Plato.

Actually this could more accurately be called the Disinformation age. The internet accomplished a few things, all of which contribute. It makes anyone and everyone a "published" author, that is it lends legitimacy to any opinion. Thus everyone can find opinions that mirror and thus reinforce our pre-existing understandings. Algorithms automatically link folks to sites that are more likely to be clicked, which by definition are more interesting/racy than the one you initially chose. Thus the rabble is fed ever more fringe opinions to link to.

Fast forward to extreme polarization.

So we technically are in the age of iron and irony simultaneously. Megalomaniacs and ambitious factions dealing in misinformation is surely nothing new but the speed and scope of it certainly has been exponentially magnified. When I mentioned compartmentalization and alienation above it was for me with the understanding that they are effects, the bad actors are the cause and something such as enhanced misinformation tactics would be one set of tools or tactics wielded with ill intent.