SCOTLAND’S political class should read the works of Professor Irvin Yalom, the world’s greatest living psychiatrist.
The recommendation comes not to help politicians assuage the self-evident issues of narcissism and sociopathy that plainly beset so many in elected office. Most are too far gone for remediation, sadly. Rather, the recommendation is in the interests of us, the Scottish public.
In particular, our politicians should turn to the old Hassidic parable Yalom tells, The tale of the Rabbi and God. It goes like this: a rabbi is chatting to God and asks about heaven and hell. God says "Follow me, I’ll show you hell." God takes the rabbi into a room full of starving, wailing people sitting around a table. In the middle of the table, there’s a huge pot of delicious stew - enough for all. Each person has a long spoon. It’s long enough to reach the pot, but too long to turn and get the food into your mouth. The rabbi is stricken with compassion for their suffering.
Now God says, "Follow me, I’ll show you heaven." God takes the rabbi into a room exactly the same as the last. The same number of people, same table, same pot of stew, and same long spoons. But here, everyone is happy and full. The rabbi is confused and turns to God for answers. God says: "It’s simple - the people in this room have learned to feed each other." The tale is Yalom’s way of explaining altruism and its benefits. Help others, and we help ourselves. Cooperation trumps conflict.
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