Did
the fascists set goals and achieve some of them? Were they, in a
sense, accountable? While the answer is obviously that they were and
did, somehow we feel an undertow of unease. Likewise, gangs and
organized crime can set goals and be accountable within certain set
illegal and unethical parameters.
Setting
goals implies some measure of certitude. Certitude is oft times
dangerous and has been the source of much cruelty and fanaticism
whether in business, politics, or religion. The undeniable fact that
it can appear in religion is especially troublesome for a basic tenet
of the faithful is that only God is omniscient. Even while asserting
that human knowledge is inherently limited and flawed in comparison
to that of God's, it is not unusual for the faithful to assume
severely dogmatic, rigid, and self-righteous stances.
The
dilemma that confronts humanity is that certitude while extremely
dangerous is also extremely necessary. Say there is a child in a
burning building. While the wise and judicious stand aside in the
shadows wringing their hands wondering whether to take decisive
action to save the child, the hero with assurance and certitude (and
not too much thought) dashes in and retrieves the child from the
flames. Because of this bias for action, typically we prefer
political candidates and other would-be leaders to have some measure
of certitude—to be self-confident and assured; someone capable of
strong action and not hobbled by too much thought. But I have
carefully chosen my illustration by using a benevolent doer with a compassionate
and empathetic nature. Humanity is not always so fortunate in
identifying those within whom to entrust action and power. Within
the right hands the view that "the ends justify the means"
is benign. Within cynical hands the view is pernicious and vicious.
Certitude when combined with cynicism and circular justification is
perhaps the most destructive and poisonous mindset that undercuts
human progress. Then goal setting and accountability become
structures that mock genuine helpfulness.
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