I’m often asked about the name of our firm and its tag line. An ‘adjuvancy’ is an organization that works to insure the optimal performance of all the components in a mixture. We work to insure that everything in our client’s life/business are in concert and aimed at achieving the expressed goals. In so doing, we know that we are improving the lives of our clients- each one individually, one at a time.
It’s a reflection of our collective beliefs. The first people on earth- whether you call them Adam and Chava, Adam and Eve or prototype Man- had to acquire the knowledge of good and evil. Because, without the knowledge of both good and evil, we would be no different than other animals, unable to discern whether an action benefits mankind or not. As early man did, many folks still think they can create towers over the earth and become G0dlike. As that happens, we can see each individual trying to one-up the other. So the common good in any such effort becomes a point of contention as each of the participants no longer listens to one another- a babble of words. (Any similarity to the current US political system is purely intentional.)
Noah was the next human prototype, some 10 generations hence. He wasn’t perfect. He was just the best of his generation. It was his job to save mankind for the rest of us. But, he clearly didn’t impart any belief structure in his children (and, maybe, did not have one for himself). So, it was left for another prototype, Abra(ha)m, to seek out some Supreme Being, another 10 generations hence.
Who is told, by the Supreme Being he chose, to “Go Out”. Notice the Supreme Being did not tell Abra(ha)m where to go. You see, the SB expects us to do our job; to “Go Out” and make this world a better place. Explain our positions, convince others to join us in this quest. To define and seek to achieve these goals. It’s why Abraham (by now, his name) was also called Ivri- the other. Because he was willing to be different from the other folks, to stand for something, to take the time to invite strangers into his home and explain his vision of the world, to have them join in his quest.
Abraham was not perfect by any means. His next trip was to Egypt, where he tells the Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister and not his wife. After that little byplay, Pharaoh explains to the Abraham that this was just not acceptable behavior. And, from then on, Sarah is defined as his wife- mentioned before his livestock and other possessions, because he learned from Pharaoh this his wife had worth- and should be his partner in his quest.
So, we know we are not perfect. But, we work together with everyone, trying to squeeze that little bit “extra” out- so we can be “extraordinary”.
Your definition of good and evil opened my eyes. I wonder if we don’t give enough credit to animals. For instance, most ants and bees do what is best for their colonies. Does this mean they understand the difference between good and evil? Perhaps even better than we do?
I have always thought that these concepts are somewhat subjective – what is good and what is evil. Your definition is not a bad one, and it is really giving me some food for thought.
Glad you liked it, David.
And, no that does not mean that ants understand the difference between good and evil. For example, the fire ants that group together in floods to render themselves a watertight ball do it automatically when they sense high water. It’s like us flinching when we hear a loud noise- yes, it’s a defense mechanism, but one unrelated to the concept of good and evil.
Take care…
Roy