Buttocractics
Buttocractics
ˈbʌtəkrækˈtɪks (n.)
The branch of philosophy that examines the basic structure of self-interest. It is often characterised as “first philosophy”, implying that it is more fundamental to our understanding of the cosmos than other, more superficial forms of philosophical inquiry such as metaphysics or epistemology.
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Office anthropology™
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Buttocractics was first eludicated by Greek philospher Arsimedes in his book Buttocraxis (βυτοκρακτική) in which described an intrinsic and measurable sense of self-interest, which he denoted by the lower case omega (ω)) which is, of course, the ancient theological disposition of being elsewhere when blame is attributed, or “avoiding the apocalypse”.
Arsimedes thence deduced the maxim by which all persons charged with the grave responsibility of middle management live:
primum nil errare: “First, do no harm to your own career”.
Arsimedes came to worldwide attention after he was featured in the 1991 movie Silence of the Subject Matter Experts:
Lecter: First principles, Clarice. Simplicity. Read Marcus Aurelius. Of each particular thing ask: what is it in itself? What is its nature? What does he do, this man you seek?
Clarice: He kills women —
Lecter: No! That is incidental. What is the first and principal thing he does? What needs does he serve by killing?
Clarice: Anger — social acceptance — and — sexual frustrations, sir —
Lecter: No! He covets. That is his nature. And how do we begin to covet, Clarice? Do we seek out things to covet?