metonymy4u

When we look for cause and effect, we sometimes end up in blame.
This is why other models may be more useful.
Think about a system.
The system has parts.
Some of the parts may resemble the system.
For example, an angry son may look like a family that fights “all the time.”
It’s tempting to blame the angry son.
You might even think he’s the cause of the anger in the family.
Just because they both look alike.
The son and the family.
On the other hand we could think of the system as exhibiting features.
One feature is the family’s anger.
Perhaps the angry son is keeping this feature from getting out of control.
He might be the only one strong enough to express a clear opinion: “yes!” or “no!”
Without his “!” everyone might have given up already.
When we drop cause and effect, we can turn to phenomenology.
From a phenomenological perspective, water does not slosh around in a glass because water molecules are “sloshy.”
And angry families are not angry because of angry family members.
Any more than angry feelings are due to angry thoughts.
The thoughts, the anger, the increased pulse and the raised voice – these are all features of a system.
To change the behavior of a system, you have to change the context.
Alter the temperature. Climb a mountain. Navigate an ocean.
Make the context less friendly to anger and more friendly to compassion.
Mobilize the undreamable. Create creativity.
Add yourself to the sum.
Without a hint of blame.