Chaining psychology

— Hypothetical essays on the Ybymarian culture —

    Chaining Psychology works based on certain principles that, in theory, are applicable in all human relationship situations. Each principle has an antagonist, and what we try to achieve is a balance between the two. There are also opposites, both of the principles and their antagonists. The idea postulates that principles and antagonists are desirable, while opposites should be avoided.

    This idea was based on the third part of Allan Kardec’s “Book of Spirits,” where the Moral Laws are described. There is a strong relationship between the principles explained here and the laws described in the book, but there are also many differences.

    The name Chaining Psychology comes from the idea that principles are chained together, forming a kind of “chain.” Some examples of chained principles,

    Affinity → interaction → integration → solidarity → work and society
    Freedom → moderation → charity → justice
    Work → solidarity → society → construction → progress

    Below are described the 16 principles that were identified in this descriptive beginning of Chaining Psychology.

    1. Principle of Freedom

    Antagonistic: Responsibility
    Opposite of principle: Imposition
    Opposite of antagonistic: Negligence

    This principle postulates freedom of choice and action, but with limits on responsibility. Strictly speaking, the more responsible the person is, the more freedom they can have. It is a principle granted by the collective, while its antagonist, responsibility, depends on the individual.

    Opposites are factors to be avoided. Thus, the opposite of freedom is imposition by the collective, while the opposite of responsibility is negligence by the individual.

    2. Principle of Partnership

    Antagonistic: Selection
    Opposite of principle: Segregation
    Opposite of antagonistic: Encompassment

    This principle postulates life in society as indispensable to individual and collective well-being and to human nature itself. The antagonistic thing is selection, in which society decides which ones are fit to live in it (a thief, for example, would be considered unfit).

    The opposite of integration is segregation, in which individuals are rejected for innocuous reasons or simply on a whim, and the opposite of its antagonist is embracement, where there is acceptance of anyone without distinction, even those proven to be dangerous (murderers, for example).

    3. Principle of Integration

    Antagonistic: Introspection
    Opposite of principle: Revolt
    Opposite of antagonistic: Insecurity

    The principle of integration postulates the same as that of society, but from the individual’s perspective. Thus, he must seek to integrate with society. Its antagonist, introspection, postulates that each person should dedicate time to themselves and not entirely to society.

    The opposite is revolt, which is the individual’s denial of social interaction, and the opposite of antagonistic is insecurity, in which the individual has difficulty positioning themselves in society.

    4. Principle of Interaction

    Antagonistic: Withdrawal
    Opposite of principle: Alienation
    Opposite of antagonistic: Burlesque

    This principle emphasizes the coexistence of society and the individual by acknowledging their simultaneous perspectives. It is necessary for the individual to interact with society, but it is also necessary for each person to have their moment of privacy (recollection), both of which are necessary for the good health of the individual and the group.

    Its opposites are alienation, where the individual interacts little and does not talk to society, and burlesque, where the individual participates excessively in the group, without thinking, and in an inconvenient way.

    5. Principle of Solidarity

    Antagonistic: Self-help
    Opposite of principle: Indifference
    Opposite of antagonistic: Individualization

    Solidarity is essential for any group or society, as its members must help each other for the group to maintain itself. Its antagonist is self-help, necessary for each individual to remain healthy and productive.

    Indifference, which is the opposite of solidarity, makes a group member feel like a burden to others if he does not participate in the group’s shared ideas. Individualization causes the individual to withdraw into himself, also becoming a burden for everyone and for himself.

    6. Principle of Working

    Antagonistic: Rest
    Opposite of principle: Idleness
    Opposite of antagonistic: Extenuation

    This principle says that work is essential for the individual and society, but it must be done in moderation. Its antagonist is rest, necessary to restore physical and mental strength.

    The opposite is idleness, which, unlike rest, is harmful to both the individual and society. Its opposite is exhaustion due to excess work or effort.

    7. Principle of Equality

    Antagonistic: Diversity
    Opposite of principle: Disparity
    Opposite of antagonistic: Leveling

    It postulates equality between individuals, between societies, between civilizations, etc. Its antagonist, diversity, postulates that everyone is equal but different at the same time. Equality, in this case, depends on respecting what is different.

    The two opposites stem from disrespect for differences. While disparity is difference taken to extremes (which generates all types of sociocultural inequality), leveling is as if it were a “cut to the bottom,” a terrible attack on the most capable.

    8. Principle of Moderation

    Antagonistic: Effort
    Opposite of principle: Impulsiveness
    Opposite of antagonistic: Excessive zeal

    This principle postulates not overdoing anything, be it food, exercise, work, etc. His antagonist postulates that there must be effort, personal and collective, to accomplish anything. The balance between the two is essential for optimal individual and collective health.

    The opposites are impulsiveness, where no limits are set, and excessive zeal, which ends up hindering any achievement.

    9. Principle of Charity

    Antagonistic: Self-preservation
    Opposite of principle: Hostility
    Opposite of antagonistic: Excessive giving

    It is necessary for everyone to help everyone in times of need. Everyone must donate part of themselves for the benefit of others. Its antagonist is self-preservation, where each person must take care of their needs in order to maintain physical and mental health.

    Its opposite is hostility towards others (people and societies), and the opposite of antagonistic is excessive donation, where individuals and societies sacrifice themselves voluntarily and without need, often depriving themselves of even what they need.

    10. Principle of Affinity

    Antagonistic: Stealth
    Opposite of principle: Antipathy
    Opposite of antagonistic: Shyness

    Affinity postulates that people and societies with similar ideas tend to come together through what is called the gregarious instinct. Its antagonist is the discretion in which: despite being gathered together, they do not disturb each other.

    The opposite of the principle is antipathy, which negatively influences relationships, pushing people, groups, and societies apart. Shyness, in turn, harms beneficial relationships as it limits communication between everyone.

    11. Principle of Repairing

    Antagonistic: Substitution
    Opposite of principle: Breakdown
    Opposite of antagonistic: Sabotage

    This principle suggests restoring something that has suffered damage, whether through inadvertent or deliberate actions. The antagonist is replacement, which isn’t always ideal, but sometimes it’s the only way to correct things.

    The opposite is breakdown, and the opposite of the opposite is sabotage, which is silent, intentional, and sneaky breakdown.

    12. Principle of Justice

    Antagonistic: Sensibility
    Opposite of principle: Arbitrariness
    Opposite of antagonistic: Arrogance

    Justice is necessary, but it must be applied with restraint and moderation, under penalty of reversing its real objective. Therefore, its antagonist is wisdom, a factor that makes justice milder but no less rigorous.

    Its opposite is arbitrariness, where factors extraneous to the fact and personal ideas assume more importance than the entire context. The opposite of antagonistic is arrogance, in the sense of considering the applied action as perfect since it strictly follows established norms.

    13. Principle of Admiration

    Antagonistic: Self-love
    Opposite of principle: Aversion
    Opposite of antagonistic: Selfishness

    Everything that is not known must be admired, as well as everything that does not belong to oneself. All things have their place and function in the Cosmos, and everything must be respected; otherwise, the delicate balance of nature will be disturbed. Its antagonist is self-love, or self-esteem, in which the individual must value himself. Admiration is, perhaps, the most difficult principle to balance with its antagonist.

    Its opposite, to be avoided, is aversion, just like the fear of everything that is unknown and over which one has no control. The opposite of antagonistic is selfishness, in which the individual considers himself the center of things. Along with aversion, selfishness is the main destroyer of everything that is beneficial, productive, and constructive. Selfishness and aversion are the main reasons for the misfortune and suffering of beings and peoples.

    14. Principle of Self-Esteem

    Antagonistic: Self-limiting
    Opposite of principle: Pride
    Opposite of antagonistic: Inconsequence

    Self-esteem, different from pride, is when the individual knows what they can and cannot do, something that, in practice, can be very difficult to determine. Its antagonist, self-limit, is when the individual knows how far they can go, which can also be very difficult in practice.

    Its opposite is pride, where individuals and groups believe they are better and have more rights than other individuals and groups. The opposite of antagonistic is inconsequence, where individuals carry out acts without taking into account the consequences that such acts may cause.

    15. Principle of Construction

    Antagonistic: Destruction
    Opposite of principle: Obstacle
    Opposite of antagonistic: Annihilation

    This principle postulates that construction is necessary, be it physical, intellectual, moral, emotional, etc. His antagonist postulates that there is the necessary destruction to build something bigger and more wonderful on its rubble.

    The opposite is the hindrance of any construction attempt, which stagnates and deteriorates even before it is finished. In turn, annihilation would be an act that results in a total void where nothing can flourish or be built.

    16. Principle of Progress

    Antagonistic: Conservation
    Opposite of principle: Stagnation
    Opposite of antagonistic: Deterioration

    This principle states that people and societies have an innate need to advance and improve, as well as to join in general progress for the good of all. Its antagonist is conservation, that progress must be guided by restraint and certain limits.

    The opposite of the principle of progress is stagnation, where things become paralyzed at some point and end up losing their function. The opposite of being antagonistic is the deterioration of various aspects, including things, people, emotions, and thoughts.