Can We Create a Reliable Scale to Measure Ego Like We Do for Pain?

There was an interesting topic discussed in CiteHR on ego started by Mr. Nikhil Gurjar with plenty of discussion and excellent inputs from members.

Defining Ego

Defining ego is extremely difficult. I was wondering whether an ego scale, like the ones used in medicine named as Visual Analogue Scale (e.g., for pain), can be prepared, since ego, like pain, is subjective and non-parametric - intensity depending on the threshold of the sufferer.

Not an artist, I looked for and could get some excellent symbols prepared by Prof. Ravi Poovaiah (available on the internet, prepared by him for a different purpose). He gracefully agreed to my using these here.

Wonder if they fit well here.

Regards,
Dr. Ulhas Ganu

A very good aspect you selected. However, frankly, I am not really sure if the EGO aspect of human nature can be accurately measured.

You had compared [if not actually equated] Ego with Pain. While Pain invariably has a link with the 'physical' aspect of a human being, irrespective of the cause of that pain, I am not so sure Ego follows such laws/rules. For example, just visualize the recent scam-tainted individuals all of us must have seen on the TV—their response mechanisms in various situations/scenarios. Didn't all of them know what they did? And yet did most of them [at least until they got arrested by the CBI] keep the facade of smiling faces all through the time they faced the media. Doesn't this constitute an aspect of the Ego? How does one MEASURE this [the 'feeling' & the 'external expression' being totally contrary]?

Forgetting for a moment such high-profile cases, the same would be noticeable even in our normal human interaction—in offices, homes, social environments, etc. How often wouldn't we notice people showing off their wealth or degrees or position or just about anything that THEY THINK will be appreciated by those around them at that point in time? All these aspects of human nature are examples of the Ego—how do we measure such aspects accurately? Especially when one 'masks' the action from the 'intention/feeling/thought'?

Spiritual Angle of Ego

Coming to the Spiritual angle of this facet of human nature, it's one of the MOST-DISCUSSED/EXPLAINED as well as FOCUSED topics by so many spiritual teachers/gurus over the ages & still continuing in our internet age!!!

Just some food for thought—hope I haven't added to the confounding nature of the Ego that you touched upon :-)

Regards,
TS

Hi Tajsateesh, thanks for the elaboration. Your comments are always valuable and welcome. I do not intend to compare EGO with Pain per se. The Pain Scale was just an inspiration as both Pain & EGO are non-parametric (which cannot be measured like weight, height, or temperature) because they are subjective. Even the threshold of people for heat is subjective; for example, the fingertips of a housewife can withstand heat better than ours, who rarely worked in the kitchen.

The Idea Behind the Scale

The idea is to see if the Scale can help people to grade an individual, say the boss, and adjust their approach accordingly. Some bosses may not mind listening to 'other viewpoints' while others may not want to even listen to other views, saying what they are saying is final. This may help safeguard them from backlash.

I had not thought of the leaders and their responses for gradation at all as they would not have reached where they are if they were not egoists.

Different Leaders, Different Responses

However, I admire you as you always bring in hidden but relevant points. Maybe different leaders with responses differing to different degrees can still be graded for varied responses from 'Having Made No Mistake' to acknowledging as 'Maybe It Was a Judgmental Error.'

I am also unbiased and hence put the topic for the poll to know how the elite members of this forum look at it.

Regards,
Dr. Ulhas Ganu