Inner Agents and Saboteurs of the Good Life: Role Theory

Egoism and extreme pleasure-seeking, and indeed a flourishing life, are not simply external phenomena in the world, but may also be the products of inner motivations and conflicting forces within the individual psyche. Meeting our inner progressive and saboteur roles helps us to gain greater freedom to take action for our own good, and to the benefit of others. Role training can provide effective support for this. I propose archetypal roles which may promote and hinder the flourishing life in a person, including for example the Overachiever, the Orphan, the Tyrant, the Fool, the Rebel, the Friend, the Explorer, the Artist and the Sage. Role theory is a bridge between the person and the community, as it encompasses phenomena in the personal psyche as well as interactions among people. Moreno’s vision is that the dramatic tools can transform human culture to make it more creative, spontaneous and healing.