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from Part II - Thought Experiments and the Power of Context
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 June 2021
The play King Lear is a thought experiment on sudden and drastic changes in power distribution and the consequent changes in the behavior of the individuals who have changed power positions. The change in power distribution serves as the independent variable, with the behavioral changes that follow serving as dependent variables. King Lear impulsively decides to abandon his royal duties, but not necessarily his royal privileges. He hands over his duties and his properties to his two older daughters; his third daughter is disinherited because she fails to subserviently express devotion to him. But the influence of the power shifts on the three daughters is not according to Lear’s plans: the two older daughters turn against him, while his youngest, disinherited daughter remains loyal. In line with psychological research on power and corruption, some individuals who gain absolute power become absolutely corrupt.
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