--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In sum, doubling is the psychological…" description: "\"In sum, doubling is the psychological means by which one invokes the evil potential of the self. That evil is neither inherent in the self nor foreign ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/243/robert-jay-lifton-13917_choices_in-sum-doubling-is-the-psychological-mea_2259975.jpg" --- # In sum, doubling is the psychological means by which one… ![“In sum, doubling is the psychological means by which one invokes the evil potential of the self. That evil is neither inherent in the self nor foreign to it. To live out the doubling and call forth the evil is a moral choice for which one is responsible, whatever the level of consciousness involved.” quote by Robert Jay Lifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/243/robert-jay-lifton-13917_choices_in-sum-doubling-is-the-psychological-mea_2259975.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/243/robert-jay-lifton-13917_choices_in-sum-doubling-is-the-psychological-mea_2259975.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/243/robert-jay-lifton-13917_choices_in-sum-doubling-is-the-psychological-mea_2259975.jpg) > “In sum, doubling is the psychological means by which one invokes the evil potential of the self. That evil is neither inherent in the self nor foreign to it. To live out the doubling and call forth the evil is a moral choice for which one is responsible, whatever the level of consciousness involved.” [Robert Jay Lifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jay-lifton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Doubling creates a split self that can unleash evil, but the choice to act is moral and conscious. **In simple terms:** Doubling can unleash evil; choice matters. Key Takeaway Recognize inner conflicts and own responsibility. Themes psychology ethics self doubling evil Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - therapy - self‑analysis - ethical decision‑making - spiritual practice Key Concepts moral agency consciousness identity Questions to Reflect On - How do you notice internal doubling? - What guides your moral choices? A Different Perspective Self‑splitting is complex; not all can easily discern the “evil” part. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Psychological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) ## Related quotes > [I see nuclear weapons as the ultimate evil, not just evil, but the ultimate evil with the potential to make life unlivable on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-lown/i-see-nuclear-weapons-as-the-ultimate-evil-not-just-evil-but-the/) [Bernard Lown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-lown/) > [What is their potential for evil; what is their potential for wickedness? 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Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donella-h-meadows/) > [I think I've started doubling down on a couple of things that are very specific to me. Now I'm two albums in, instead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cmat/i-think-i-ve-started-doubling-down-on-a-couple-of-things-that-are/) [CMAT](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cmat/) > [An exponential growth is a simple doubling. One becomes two becomes four.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/an-exponential-growth-is-a-simple-doubling-one-becomes-two-becomes/) [Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/) > [Population, when unchecked, goes on doubling itself every 25 years or increases in a geometrical ratio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-malthus/population-when-unchecked-goes-on-doubling-itself-every-25-years-or/) [Thomas Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-malthus/) > [I'm trying my best to keep things exactly the same. 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