One important element of basic goodness is power, of a specific type: the innate power of awareness. Before we try to define this power directly, let’s take as an example the above photo of the gaze of a tiger. Why is a tiger’s gaze so powerful? If you’re like me, the easiest answers—”because it could kill you,” “because we’ve evolved to fear large predators,” “because tigers just look cool”—don’t actually hold up. I don’t find the tiger above to be frightful, or merely cool. I find it to be majestic. For me, a synonym for this majesty would be “innate power.” The tiger radiates a presence that, in and of itself, I can’t help but feel is powerful. What is the source of this power? The power of awareness For me, the tiger is radiating a powerful awareness, especially through its eyes: This creature is powerfully alive, and it is looking back at the camera with a force of awareness that is not hostile or aggressive, but is utterly without doubt. For me, much more than its muscles and claws, the tiger feels powerful because …

The video below summarizes a thread in the classic movie The Princess Bride: the phrase “As you wish” as code for “I love you.” Watch the video to orient yourself, but if you haven’t seen The Princess Bride, your time is probably better spent doing that front-to-back. This article will be here when you’re done. On Service Part of the basic goodness of human nature is our ability, and our yearning, to place ourselves into service. To me, the end of The Princess Bride is one of the most touching moments in film. When I try to pin down precisely why, what emerges is a discussion of service. Part of the basic goodness of human nature is our ability, and our yearning, to place ourselves into service. Service in this case isn’t a chore, but is a delighful act of putting love into practice. In fact, humans love and even need service. As anyone in a well-paid but meaningless job—that is, a job that is not serving the good of the world—will tell you, the …