Week after week the process of the course must build to an understanding. A meaningful understanding.
What is the point without practical abilities.
Reading the typical crap on power really pisses me off. It is defined and trapped within a strict empirical sociological paradigm. It cannot go outside those parameters because the parameters begin after the important stuff is begun and therefore is forgotten.
It has been said that although a great deal has been written on power - it is a considerable fascination - no one has described the secret of power.
In fact, in Robert Greene's book The 48 Laws of Power he admits in his introduction;
"These writings span a period of more than three thousand years and were created in civilizations as disparate as ancient China and Renaissance Italy; yet they share common threads and themes, together hinting at an essence of power that has yet to be fully articulated."
When I turn to the great thinkers the reading is much more enjoyable but I must say that the heart of the matter remains absent in any express form.
When you teach a college course they expect you to cover the typical. The usual. The same old same old.
But I only have about 12 weeks to really get at it. And I believe in my heart that what I have to say means a whole lot more than to read one more time about sociological definitions.
Where is the worth?
So I come back to the same Question. Do I teach On Having Power, or do I teach 'this is what others have said about power?'
But if I do it, what will happen. The course outline must be a lie if I am to get it approved. I must say that I will teach one thing and actually teach another.
The best part of the course will be the journey of the students toward an understanding - a personal understanding - of where power fits into their lives and how they are to deal with that.
And what is that without an ability? What is the use of understanding if it doesn't lead to action?
Should I teach them how to have power? Should I teach them how to battle power?
Do I really have any choice?
