Skip to content

Put differently, oppressive actions and drives are…

“Put differently, oppressive actions and drives are inherent in the lower stages of development. […] A lower, pre-worldcentric stage of development will step all over worldcentric values if it can, not because it is trying to specifically oppress those values, but because it does not yet possess…” quote by Ken Wilber
Download Open image
““Put differently, oppressive actions and drives are inherent in the lower stages of development. […] A lower, pre-worldcentric stage of development will step all over worldcentric values if it can, not because it is trying to specifically oppress those values, but because it does not yet possess those values itself and has no understanding of their value, goodness, or desirability. The cure for this is to move development forward, not to criminalize earlier stages (which is like calling age 5 a disease and outlawing it).””

Ken Wilber

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Early developmental stages lack higher values, leading to unintentional oppression; progress, not punishment, is the remedy.

In simple terms: Immature mind can oppress unintentionally.

Key Takeaway

Promote development over condemnation.

Themes

development ethics psychology

Mood

inspirational challenging

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • education reform
  • organizational culture
  • policy making
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

integral theory stage theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies nurture higher-stage values?
  • What supports help individuals evolve ethically?
A Different Perspective

May underestimate systemic power dynamics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Ken Wilber

Explore all 200 Ken Wilber quotes

More Growth quotes

Browse all 9,113 Growth quotes