PDSP and metaphysics

[francstoic]

Mr. Steve and fellow members,

I have a few questions about Mr. Steve's book (Personal Development for Smart People) that I think should generate a good discussion. The questions are essentially about the fundamentalness of the three principles -- Truth, Love and Power.

1. If power is understood to be ability to influence another entity's identity and behaviour, then it'll soon be clear that we need good definitions of causality, more specifically, when exactly is a system said to cause the behaviour of another system, and to what degree?

2. Does love mean desire of the well-being of others (such that it exceeds the desire of the well-being of oneself, depending on the amount of love involved)? Why does a person desire the well-being of another? I mean, even if a person loves another, isn't it that the person loves because the love is agreeable to himself (humans have a different hierarchy of values than beasts -- humans can value certain social conditions more than biological well-being)? Does one truly sacrifice for the sake of another?

Also, how do the principles suggest improvement for persons of different natures? There are some people who are simply not curious and not of the scientific temperament. They enjoy idleness of body and mind (or indulge in the pleasures of life -- the point is that they do not have spiritual or intellectual inclination). What can be suggested for them? Are they simply going to be unable to change their behaviour in this incarnation/birth? If they can change their behaviour, how should they do so? As an example, a person who leads a very luxurious life valuing pleasure more than anything else, how can you possibly encourage/drive him to pursue intelligence?

Thank you for your patience.

[Brutha]

Also, how do the principles suggest improvement for persons of different natures?

You probably need to read the book to find a well layed out argument for why those principles matter for everyone.
I haven't read it either at the moment but I'm looking forward to it.