The concept of the “circle of motives” can be understood from multiple angles, depending on the context in which it is used—psychological, ethical, or philosophical. Given your interest in Mussar, Jungian psychology, and systemic thinking, I will frame the discussion within these perspectives.
1. The “Circle of Motives” in Moral and Ethical Development (Mussar)
In Mussar practice, motives are a crucial element in refining one’s character (middot). The idea of a circle of motives can be related to the recursive nature of self-reflection in ethical growth:
- Shevil Ha’Zahov (The Golden Mean): Ethical motives tend to cycle between extremes—too much or too little chesed (kindness), too much or too little gevurah (discipline). Mussar encourages recognizing this cycle and rebalancing it.
- Kavanah (Intention) vs. Habit (Hergel): One’s motives may start with conscious ethical effort (kavanah), but over time, habitual action (hergel) can shift motives unconsciously, either positively or negatively.
- Teshuva (Repentance) as a Circular Process: The stages of teshuva (awakening, regret, confession, reformation) show how motives are often revisited and refined rather than being a linear process.
2. Jungian and Depth Psychology: The Archetypal Circle of Motives
From a Jungian perspective, the circle of motives can be seen in the interplay between the conscious ego, the personal unconscious, and the collective unconscious:
- The Ego and the Shadow: Motives often cycle between our idealized self (persona) and our shadow aspects, where repressed motives surface unexpectedly.
- Individuation Process: The circular nature of individuation means that one revisits motives at deeper levels, often rediscovering old conflicts with new insight.
- The Ouroboros Symbol: This ancient image of a serpent eating its own tail represents the self-perpetuating nature of motives—where unresolved unconscious motivations tend to resurface until integrated.
3. Systemic Thinking and Cognitive Loops
In systems theory, the circle of motives can be seen in feedback loops, particularly:
- Reinforcing Loops: Where motives intensify (e.g., a drive for power leading to greater dominance, reinforcing the initial desire).
- Balancing Loops: Where a motive self-corrects over time (e.g., ambition tempered by ethical constraints).
- Attractor/Repellor Dynamics: Some motives create attractor states (e.g., commitment to a cause reinforcing further action), while others repel (e.g., cognitive dissonance pushing one away from awareness).
4. Application: How to Break Negative Cycles of Motives
- Mussar Practice: Identify middot that cycle between extremes and refine them through daily cheshbon hanefesh (self-accounting).
- Jungian Integration: Work with shadow aspects of motives through active imagination, exploring their deeper sources.
- Systems Thinking: Identify whether a reinforcing feedback loop is causing a motive to become maladaptive and introduce counterbalancing forces.
Would you like me to refine this into a visual model, such as a PlantUML diagram or a systems archetype?
A systems archetype for the Circle of Motives can be best represented using reinforcing and balancing feedback loops, where motives cycle through different stages of awareness, integration, and unconscious influence.
Circle of Motives – Systems Archetype
Core Dynamics:
- Reinforcing Loops (R1, R2) – The Cycle of Unconscious Motives
- Unexamined motives feed into habitual patterns.
- These patterns create self-reinforcing behaviors, either constructive (e.g., ethical habituation) or destructive (e.g., self-sabotage).
- The more unconscious the motive remains, the stronger its reinforcing effect.
- Balancing Loop (B1) – Self-Awareness and Integration
- When a person engages in self-reflection (cheshbon hanefesh, active imagination, or therapy), motives surface into awareness.
- Awareness allows for conscious rebalancing of motives.
- This prevents unchecked reinforcing cycles and leads to motive refinement.
- Balancing Loop (B2) – Shadow Suppression and Backlash
- If motives are suppressed rather than integrated, they remain in the shadow.
- Over time, the pressure builds, leading to unexpected resurfacing (self-sabotage, projection, compulsions).
- This creates a crisis point, forcing a return to self-reflection or deeper repression.
System Diagram Representation
Feedback Loop Notation:
- R1 (Unconscious Reinforcement) → A hidden motive reinforces behavior patterns, which further strengthen the original motive.
- R2 (Ethical Habit Formation) → Conscious ethical effort, if sustained, reinforces positive habitual behavior.
- B1 (Self-Awareness) → Reflection and integration of motives balance the reinforcing cycle.
- B2 (Shadow Suppression) → Ignoring or suppressing motives creates an eventual crisis.
Now, I will generate a visual representation of this system archetype.
Here is the systems archetype diagram for the Circle of Motives.
Interpretation of the Diagram:
- Reinforcing Loop (R1 – Unconscious Motive Cycle)
- Unconscious motives drive behavior patterns, which in turn reinforce the unconscious motive.
- This loop explains why deeply ingrained behaviors persist.
- Balancing Loop (B1 – Self-Awareness and Ethical Reflection)
- If a person engages in self-awareness, they can reflect on their motives and refine them through ethical practice (Mussar, therapy, active imagination).
- This breaks the unconscious cycle and leads to refined decision-making.
- Balancing Loop (B2 – Suppression and Crisis)
- If a motive is ignored or suppressed instead of integrated, it does not disappear but builds pressure.
- This leads to a crisis point, where the suppressed motive resurfaces in an unhealthy way (e.g., projection, self-sabotage).
- If the cycle repeats without awareness, it continues feeding unconscious reinforcement.
Key Insights:
- The more a person ignores self-awareness, the stronger R1 becomes, leading to self-reinforcing dysfunction.
- B1 is the optimal intervention point, where self-reflection can refine motives before they spiral unconsciously.
- B2 warns of the dangers of suppression—motives do not disappear; they resurface with greater force.