The formation of the sense of obligation is subject to two conditions:
1) The interventions of orders given from the outside, that is, orders of indeterminate time span (don't tell lies, etc); and
2) the acceptance of these orders, which pressuposes the existence of a sentiment sui generis on the part of the person who receives the order toward the person who gives it. According to Bovet, this sentiment is one of respect and consists of affection and fear.
Affection alone could not suffice to produce obligation, and fear alone provoques only a physical or self-interested submission.
1) The interventions of orders given from the outside, that is, orders of indeterminate time span (don't tell lies, etc); and
2) the acceptance of these orders, which pressuposes the existence of a sentiment sui generis on the part of the person who receives the order toward the person who gives it. According to Bovet, this sentiment is one of respect and consists of affection and fear.
Affection alone could not suffice to produce obligation, and fear alone provoques only a physical or self-interested submission.
The sentiment described by Bovet constitutes only one of two possible forms of respect. We shall call it "unilateral", since it binds an inferior to a superior who is regarded as such, and shall
distinguish it from
"mutual respect",
which is based on reciprocity of esteem.
Unilateral respect, if it is indeed the the source of the sense of duty, begets a morality of obedience that declines the autonomy characteristic of mutual respect.
distinguish it from
"mutual respect",
which is based on reciprocity of esteem.
Unilateral respect, if it is indeed the the source of the sense of duty, begets a morality of obedience that declines the autonomy characteristic of mutual respect.
2.
Heteronomy
Heteronomy is expressed by a number of affective reactions. From the affective point of view it should be noted that the power of orders is initially dependent upon the physical presence of the person who gives them. In his absence the law loses its force and its violation is accompanied only by a momentary uneasiness.
Later this power becomes permanent and the process of systematic assimilation occurs which psychoanalysts refer to when they speak of identification with the parental image or with authority figures.
But
the submission cannot be complete, and parental or authority figures give rise to
ambivalence.
The elements that make up respect become dissociated and the dissociation leads to a mixture of affection and hostility, sympathy and aggression, jealousy, etc.
Heteronomy is expressed by a number of affective reactions. From the affective point of view it should be noted that the power of orders is initially dependent upon the physical presence of the person who gives them. In his absence the law loses its force and its violation is accompanied only by a momentary uneasiness.
Later this power becomes permanent and the process of systematic assimilation occurs which psychoanalysts refer to when they speak of identification with the parental image or with authority figures.
But
the submission cannot be complete, and parental or authority figures give rise to
ambivalence.
The elements that make up respect become dissociated and the dissociation leads to a mixture of affection and hostility, sympathy and aggression, jealousy, etc.
J.Piaget. and B.Inhelder. Translated from the French by Helen Weaver. Originally published by Presses Universitaires de France, Paris, 1966. First published in Great Britain 1969 by Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd.
