Who is really whispering in whose ear?
Beyond Angels and Devils: Understanding the Monsters and Unicorns That Drive You.
A Tale of Two Metaphors
For centuries, we've used the metaphor of an angel and a devil on our shoulders to describe our internal moral struggles. But what if there's a deeper, more fundamental system at play? Let's explore a new metaphor: the Monster and the Unicorn.
The Classic Metaphor: Angel vs. Devil
This is a battle of **Good vs. Evil**. The roles are clear and morally charged.
The Angel
Represents virtue. Encourages you to do what is right and good, even when it's hard.
The Devil
Represents vice. Tempts you toward the easy, lazy, or vindictive path.
A New Metaphor: Monster vs. Unicorn
This is a system of **Pain vs. Pleasure**. The roles are neutral psychological drives.
The Unicorn
Its purpose is singular: to pull you toward **pleasure**. It is not inherently good or bad.
The Monster
Its purpose is singular: to protect you from any and all **pain**.
Under the Hood: The Building Blocks of Morality
Your "Angel" and "Devil" aren't independent beings. They are complex constructs built from simpler, more fundamental drives. Here's how it all fits together.
Your Personality & Morality
The outward expression of your internal constructs.
😇 The Angel
A complex combination of monsters and unicorns aligned toward a "good" purpose.
😈 The Devil
A different combination of monsters and unicorns aligned toward a "bad" purpose.
The Psychological Building Blocks
Single-purpose drives with specific causes.
👹 Monsters
Each one seeks to avoid a specific pain.
🦄 Unicorns
Each one seeks to gain a specific pleasure.
The Foundational Principle
The simple, binary instinct at the root of it all.
Freud's Pleasure Principle
When The Roles Overlap
Sometimes the old and new metaphors seem to align, but their core motivations are different. The devil isn't always the monster, and the angel isn't always the unicorn.
Devil as Unicorn
The devil tempts you with earthly pleasures (chocolate, laziness), which is the unicorn's work.
Angel as Monster
The angel urges you to avoid actions that cause future regret, which is the monster's work of preventing pain.
Devil as Monster
The devil convinces you to avoid a difficult but necessary task, which is the monster's work of preventing pain.
Angel as Unicorn
The angel pushes you toward a higher purpose that feels good, which is the unicorn's work of seeking pleasure.