Michael Lissack symbolize, and we strive to realize (or avoid) them as we would strive for what they stand for. Beliefs affect actions insofar as they embody expectations about what the results of these actions will or would be. After an action is done, these expectations will (seem to) be borne out or not, to varying degrees, and these results then will modify the beliefs embodying those expectations. Beliefs about the world feed forward into actions and the (perceived) results of these actions, along with other perceived facts, feed back, positively or negatively, upon the beliefs. Many people hold on to outdated beliefs that get in their way. The fol- lowing is a brief sample of them: In this world it is each person for himself, with the strongest and most resourceful earning rightful privileges. An "invisible hand" harmonizes in- dividual and social interests, so that when each does well for himself he also benefits his society. The best way to help the poor and the destitute is for the rich to get still richer, since wealth will inevitably trickle down to ben- efit the downtrodden and uplift them to decent status. (As John Kennedy said, "A rising tide lifts all boats.") Science can solve all problems and reveal all that can be known about humanity and the world. Facts alone are what count; values, preferences, and aspirations are merely subjective and there- fore inconsequential. The way to uncover facts is to specialize and learn as much about a few things as possible, leaving other specialists to concern themselves with all the rest. Our government seems to hold tight to these same beliefs. And they do get in the way. For our world is changing. Our information load increases. Our resources are constrained. And the only filter we seem to have today is one of money. It is not that people value money more, but that they value everything else so much less -- not that they are more greedy, but that they have no other values to keep greed in check. When there are no values, money counts. And because money counts, our spirit of service suffers. Government ser- vice used to be just that -- a means of serving. But not so in a society where
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