RE: A.H. Maslow: The Farther Reaches of Human Nature
"Synergy in the Society and Individual" An Esalen, Penguin Books
1976 ISBN 0 14 00.4265 2 Chapter 14, Page 191
Ruth Benedict (Patterns of Culture; Race, Science and Politics)
an essay on holism, invented and developed the idea of synergy at
lectures at Bryn Mawr College in 1941. Maslow had the only copy
which was to be published with the assistance of Margaret Mead in
1970.
Benedict tried to overcome the idea of cultural equality ( not
everything is right ) and the doctrine of cultural relativity,
what ever works for you is OK by me. Societies she said have a
flavor, character and are not all equally functional. Some
societies are "anxious", surly, nasty, aggressive, and hateful,
this come from insecurity and causes low morale. ( such as the
Chuckchee, the Ojibwa, The Dobu, and the Kwakiutl) Other
societies were "nice" people, affectionate, kind, secure and with
high morale. ( Zuni, Arapesh, The L(d)eKota, Eskimo ).
The critical element in the concept of synergy is aggression vs.
cooperation. Synergy is where individual benefit and groups
welfare are in sink. Farming, fishing, hunting can product mutual
benefits of cooperation. Selfish self-interest (winner/losers)
vs. unselfish, altruism (win/win).
Siphoning vs. funneling of wealth, use vs. ownership, Comforting
vs. Frightening Religion, high energy or low energy institutions,
are characteristics of synergy, where are we ? We have had a out
break of win/lose - me and mine - the hell with the hind most,
winner take all, activity. This discourages the losers, causes
aggression, and is socially dysfunctional. A few institutions
maintain high energy but the society is winding down. Synergy is
spirit and systems for successful cooperation, institutional
means of using aggression (learning for conflict), and rewards
for all from social success (tide lifts all boats).
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