Recognizing that “I might follow, but I must never obey” is an emotional rule is already a good first step, much better than trying to rationalize it.
I’ve recognized that same pattern in myself—a bad feeling in response to the idea of following / obeying even when it’s an objectively good idea to do so. I imagined an “asshole with a time machine” who would follow me around, observe what I did (buy a ham sandwitch for lunch, enter a book store...), go back in time a few seconds before my decision and order me to do it.
Once I realized I was much more angry against this hypothetical asshole than it was reasonable to, I tried getting rid of that anger. I guess I succeeded (the idea doesn’t bug me as much), but I don’t know if it means I won’t have any more psychological resistance to obeying. I am probably still pretty biased towards individualism / giving more value to my opinion just because it’s my own, but I’d like to find ways to get rid of that..
Recognizing that “I might follow, but I must never obey” is an emotional rule is already a good first step, much better than trying to rationalize it.
I’ve recognized that same pattern in myself—a bad feeling in response to the idea of following / obeying even when it’s an objectively good idea to do so. I imagined an “asshole with a time machine” who would follow me around, observe what I did (buy a ham sandwitch for lunch, enter a book store...), go back in time a few seconds before my decision and order me to do it.
Once I realized I was much more angry against this hypothetical asshole than it was reasonable to, I tried getting rid of that anger. I guess I succeeded (the idea doesn’t bug me as much), but I don’t know if it means I won’t have any more psychological resistance to obeying. I am probably still pretty biased towards individualism / giving more value to my opinion just because it’s my own, but I’d like to find ways to get rid of that..