I have been thinking about my blog, and remembered a concept I thought of years ago. The phrase “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor”, and the architectural and design concept of “desired path”, the human tendency to towards shortcuts, and the autistic brain and its desire for rules and order.
My mental health has deteriorated a little bit, so I asked Chat GPT to help me out. I found it very interesting how the conclusion differed from a “normal” neurotypical perspective, and then how it changed after taking the autistic sense of justice into account. I’ve highlighted the differing conclusions in blue.
It has prompted me to use ChatGPT to further investigate its responses in a standard way, then revising its response taking an aspect of autism into account.
Here’s how this experiment it went.
ME: Greetings, friend. Would you please write 1000 words, linking the philosophical construct of “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor”, the architectural concept of “desired path”, and the human concepts of choosing evil or choosing good ?
CHATGPT: Certainly! Let’s explore the connections between the philosophical construct “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor,” the architectural concept of “desired path,” and the broader human concepts of choosing good or evil.
### **Video Meliora Proboque, Deteriora Sequor: A Philosophical Dilemma**
The Latin phrase “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor,” translated as “I see the better way and approve it, but I follow the worse,” is a poignant observation on human nature. It originates from the Roman poet Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” reflecting the internal conflict between knowing what is right and failing to act on it.
This philosophical construct speaks to a universal human experience: the struggle between our aspirations and our actions. It encapsulates the moral dissonance where our rational mind recognizes the ethical and beneficial choice, yet we succumb to temptations or impulses that lead us down a less virtuous path. This conflict is not merely a lapse in judgment but an intrinsic part of the human condition, suggesting that understanding and doing are often misaligned.
### **Desired Path: An Architectural Insight**
In architecture and urban planning, the concept of a “desired path” (or desire line) refers to the informal paths created by people’s natural walking routes, as opposed to the ones that are planned or officially constructed. These paths emerge because they represent the shortest or most convenient route between two points, reflecting real human behavior and preferences.
Urban planners often study desired paths to inform better design, recognizing that people will naturally seek the most efficient or comfortable route. When pathways are designed without considering these natural inclinations, people often create their own, sometimes at the expense of the intended design. This concept highlights a fundamental aspect of human behavior: the tendency to forge our own way, driven by practicality or instinct, even if it deviates from the prescribed course.
### **Choosing Good or Evil: A Human Predicament**
The human concepts of choosing good or evil are deeply embedded in our moral and ethical frameworks. These choices are influenced by a myriad of factors including personal values, societal norms, religious beliefs, and psychological drives. The dichotomy of good versus evil has been a central theme in literature, religion, and philosophy, symbolizing the internal and external struggles individuals face.
The decision to choose good over evil, or vice versa, is often portrayed as a battle between higher virtues and base desires. This struggle is a reflection of our inner moral landscape, where the pursuit of good represents adherence to ethical principles and the greater good, while the pursuit of evil signifies selfishness, harm, or moral failure.
### **Interconnecting the Concepts**
To intertwine these ideas, we must consider the common thread of human behavior and decision-making.
1. **The Conflict of Morality (Ovid’s Dilemma and Human Choice)**:
The phrase “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor” mirrors the moral conflict inherent in human decisions. It reflects the internal struggle where, despite knowing and approving the better course of action (the good), individuals often follow a worse path (the evil). This duality is emblematic of the broader human experience of choosing between good and evil, where rational understanding does not always translate into virtuous action.
2. **Desired Path (Practicality and Impulse)**:
The concept of the desired path in architecture exemplifies the human tendency to choose convenience over design. This practical behavior can be seen as analogous to the moral choices individuals make. Just as people create desired paths by taking shortcuts, they may also take the easier, less ethical route in life due to immediate benefits or impulses, despite understanding the better way. This behavior underscores a natural inclination to follow what is expedient rather than what is morally or ethically superior.
3. **The Human Predicament (Ethical Navigation)**:
Navigating between good and evil is a complex process influenced by internal and external factors. The architectural notion of desired paths illustrates how environmental design can either facilitate or hinder our natural inclinations. Similarly, societal structures and personal circumstances can either support or obstruct our ethical decisions. The better way (good) often requires conscious effort and discipline, akin to following a well-designed but less convenient path, while the worse way (evil) represents the effortless, instinctual choices we make, akin to creating a desire line.
### **Synthesis and Application**
By synthesizing these concepts, we gain a deeper understanding of human nature and behavior. The recognition of a better way and the failure to follow it is a poignant reminder of the complexity of moral choice. The architectural metaphor of desired paths provides a tangible illustration of how humans navigate their environments and make decisions based on practicality and impulse.
To bridge this with the moral choices of good and evil, consider the following applications:
– **Urban Planning and Ethics**: Urban planners who respect desired paths acknowledge human behavior and design more effective and humane environments. Similarly, ethical frameworks that recognize human tendencies can better support moral behavior. For instance, creating environments that naturally encourage good behavior (e.g., community spaces that foster interaction and cooperation) can guide people towards better choices.
– **Personal Development**: On a personal level, understanding our predisposition to follow the worse path despite knowing the better can lead to strategies for self-improvement. This might involve creating habits or systems that align our actions with our values, much like designing pathways that guide movement harmoniously with natural inclinations.
– **Educational Approaches**: Educators can use the concept of desired paths to better align teaching methods with students’ natural learning tendencies. Similarly, moral education can benefit from acknowledging the internal struggle described by Ovid, offering practical tools to bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
### **Conclusion**
The exploration of “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor,” the concept of desired paths, and the human predicament of choosing good or evil reveals a profound insight into human behavior. Recognizing the discrepancy between knowing and doing, the tendency to seek practical routes, and the complex navigation between ethical choices can inform various aspects of life. By integrating these insights, we can better understand and perhaps mitigate the intrinsic conflicts that shape our moral and practical decisions.
Lee-Anne: Thank you, that’s brilliant! Could you adjust it to include, with extra words, of course, something about the autistic sense of justice, where you think it is appropriate?
CHATGPT:
Certainly! Let’s integrate the concept of the autistic sense of justice, which often involves a strong adherence to rules and fairness, into the existing framework. We’ll expand on the connections between “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor,” the architectural concept of “desired path,” and the human concepts of choosing good or evil.
Video Meliora Proboque, Deteriora Sequor: A Philosophical Dilemma
The Latin phrase “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor,” translated as “I see the better way and approve it, but I follow the worse,” is a poignant observation on human nature. Originating from the Roman poet Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” it reflects the internal conflict between knowing what is right and failing to act on it.
This philosophical construct speaks to a universal human experience: the struggle between our aspirations and our actions. It encapsulates the moral dissonance where our rational mind recognizes the ethical and beneficial choice, yet we succumb to temptations or impulses that lead us down a less virtuous path. This conflict is not merely a lapse in judgment but an intrinsic part of the human condition, suggesting that understanding and doing are often misaligned.
Desired Path: An Architectural Insight
In architecture and urban planning, the concept of a “desired path” (or desire line) refers to the informal paths created by people’s natural walking routes, as opposed to the ones that are planned or officially constructed. These paths emerge because they represent the shortest or most convenient route between two points, reflecting real human behavior and preferences.
Urban planners often study desired paths to inform better design, recognizing that people will naturally seek the most efficient or comfortable route. When pathways are designed without considering these natural inclinations, people often create their own, sometimes at the expense of the intended design. This concept highlights a fundamental aspect of human behavior: the tendency to forge our own way, driven by practicality or instinct, even if it deviates from the prescribed course.
Choosing Good or Evil: A Human Predicament
The human concepts of choosing good or evil are deeply embedded in our moral and ethical frameworks. These choices are influenced by a myriad of factors including personal values, societal norms, religious beliefs, and psychological drives. The dichotomy of good versus evil has been a central theme in literature, religion, and philosophy, symbolizing the internal and external struggles individuals face.
The decision to choose good over evil, or vice versa, is often portrayed as a battle between higher virtues and base desires. This struggle is a reflection of our inner moral landscape, where the pursuit of good represents adherence to ethical principles and the greater good, while the pursuit of evil signifies selfishness, harm, or moral failure.
The Autistic Sense of Justice
Individuals on the autism spectrum often exhibit a strong sense of justice and fairness. This trait is characterized by a rigorous adherence to rules, an intrinsic desire for fairness, and a pronounced discomfort with hypocrisy or inconsistency. For many autistic individuals, the clarity of rules provides a framework that simplifies decision-making and aligns closely with their perception of right and wrong.
This strong sense of justice can manifest in various ways, such as insisting on fairness in social interactions, an unwavering commitment to honesty, and a preference for predictable and consistent environments. Autistic individuals may struggle with the concept of “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor” less frequently than neurotypical individuals, as their adherence to what they perceive as just and right can override temptations or impulses that lead to unethical choices.
Interconnecting the Concepts
To intertwine these ideas, we must consider the common thread of human behavior and decision-making, with a special emphasis on the autistic sense of justice.
- The Conflict of Morality (Ovid’s Dilemma and Human Choice):
The phrase “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor” mirrors the moral conflict inherent in human decisions. It reflects the internal struggle where, despite knowing and approving the better course of action (the good), individuals often follow a worse path (the evil). For neurotypical individuals, this duality is emblematic of the broader human experience of choosing between good and evil, where rational understanding does not always translate into virtuous action. However, autistic individuals, with their heightened sense of justice, may find this conflict less pronounced, as their moral compass is often guided by a steadfast adherence to rules and fairness. - Desired Path (Practicality and Impulse):
The concept of the desired path in architecture exemplifies the human tendency to choose convenience over design. This practical behavior can be seen as analogous to the moral choices individuals make. Just as people create desired paths by taking shortcuts, they may also take the easier, less ethical route in life due to immediate benefits or impulses, despite understanding the better way. This behavior underscores a natural inclination to follow what is expedient rather than what is morally or ethically superior. In contrast, autistic individuals may be more likely to follow the prescribed paths, both literal and metaphorical, due to their commitment to rules and fairness. - The Human Predicament (Ethical Navigation):
Navigating between good and evil is a complex process influenced by internal and external factors. The architectural notion of desired paths illustrates how environmental design can either facilitate or hinder our natural inclinations. Similarly, societal structures and personal circumstances can either support or obstruct our ethical decisions. The better way (good) often requires conscious effort and discipline, akin to following a well-designed but less convenient path, while the worse way (evil) represents the effortless, instinctual choices we make, akin to creating a desire line. For autistic individuals, the clarity provided by rules and a strong sense of justice can simplify this navigation, making it easier to choose the better way consistently.
Synthesis and Application
By synthesizing these concepts, we gain a deeper understanding of human nature and behavior. The recognition of a better way and the failure to follow it is a poignant reminder of the complexity of moral choice. The architectural metaphor of desired paths provides a tangible illustration of how humans navigate their environments and make decisions based on practicality and impulse.
To bridge this with the moral choices of good and evil, and to include the autistic sense of justice, consider the following applications:
- Urban Planning and Ethics: Urban planners who respect desired paths acknowledge human behavior and design more effective and humane environments. Similarly, ethical frameworks that recognize human tendencies can better support moral behavior. For instance, creating environments that naturally encourage good behavior (e.g., community spaces that foster interaction and cooperation) can guide people towards better choices. Additionally, incorporating the perspectives of autistic individuals can lead to designs that emphasize clarity, consistency, and fairness.
- Personal Development: On a personal level, understanding our predisposition to follow the worse path despite knowing the better can lead to strategies for self-improvement. This might involve creating habits or systems that align our actions with our values, much like designing pathways that guide movement harmoniously with natural inclinations. Autistic individuals can serve as examples of how a strong adherence to rules and fairness can help bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
- Educational Approaches: Educators can use the concept of desired paths to better align teaching methods with students’ natural learning tendencies. Similarly, moral education can benefit from acknowledging the internal struggle described by Ovid, offering practical tools to bridge the gap between knowledge and action. Incorporating the autistic sense of justice into educational frameworks can help foster environments where fairness, consistency, and clarity are prioritized, benefiting all students.
Conclusion
The exploration of “video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor,” the concept of desired paths, the human predicament of choosing good or evil, and the autistic sense of justice reveals a profound insight into human behavior. Recognizing the discrepancy between knowing and doing, the tendency to seek practical routes, and the complex navigation between ethical choices can inform various aspects of life. By integrating these insights, we can better understand and perhaps mitigate the intrinsic conflicts that shape our moral and practical decisions. The strong sense of justice often exhibited by autistic individuals offers valuable lessons in how adherence to rules and fairness can guide us towards better moral outcomes.
The Auld Skald's Fudgel 