Thinking About An Enemy Analysis

The idea of thinking about one's enemy can be significantly important for every individual. Some philosophers, such as Butler and Rawls, believe that thinking of one's enemy can cause improvements in multiple ways. Butler wonders, "Suppose then an enemy were to set about defaming you, what part of your character would he single out?" (p. 153-4). This idea that someone can possibly defame oneself can destroy that person's reputation or motivation to continue with any task goal they are trying to complete. Even Rawls writes, "The restrictions which would so arise might be thought of as those a person would keep in mind if he were designing a practice in which his enemy were to assign him his place" (p.656) Rawls feels that by trying to predict
The idea of thinking about one's enemy is to anticipate what characteristic they would single out. By doing that, they get an advantage over the enemy and can reverse the damage towards the enemy if they were trying to inflict damage. They can also avoid the conflict if they knew what kind of plan someone was trying to do knowing the enemy wanted to harm them and either come up with an unpredictable plan or continue their movement and just prepare for what the enemy would say or do. Also, if the individual was able to somehow keep the enemy close and watch them, they can try to prolong or even avoid conflict by staying one step ahead of them. As long as the enemy does not discover one's plan, the enemy cannot inflict any damage to the individual. Regardless, being able the stay one step ahead of the enemy can cause the individual to look superior and can help them continue being happier knowing the danger was avoided and nobody was
By having the ability to identify their weaknesses, they are able to avoid embarrassment and obstacles that the enemy can use you block the individual from progressing forward. Also, by realizing the differences between the enemy and oneself, they can notice the specialties that individual has and use it as an advantage for either their professional career. Finally, by thinking about the enemy, the individual can brainstorm potential solutions or plan to avoid or resolve conflicts that the enemy could use against that person that would either harm or embarrass them. The enemy cannot do anything to harm you which will frustrate them more knowing how sophisticated and patient one is. For Rawls and Butler, this ideology can help develop a stronger character in a person and avoid one's reputation being tarnished. That is the main goal for an enemy is to internally and socially destroy that individual no matter what the circumstances have to be. As long as one follows the three main points in thinking about one's enemy, they are mentally doing damage to the enemy without even causing aggressive behavior. So, it is beneficial for anyone to think about the enemy whenever one believes they are being held back or prevented in progressing in