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Capacity Three: Recognizing Power

In this installment of Ethical Adulthood, we move into Capacity Three: recognizing power and taking responsibility for its effects.

When we hear the word power, we often think of large systems—governments, wealth, institutions.

But the kind of power explored here is much closer.

It shows up in everyday relationships:

partners, friends, family, colleagues.

Power is not just authority or intent.

It shows up in:

• who has more options

• who has more safety

• who is more likely to be believed

• who can leave—and who has to stay

• who carries the longer impact when something goes wrong

When power goes unrecognized, it quietly distorts fairness, repair, and responsibility.

This episode offers a practical way to begin noticing power in real time—

without collapsing into guilt or defensiveness.

The core question:

If I act exactly as I want to right now,

who absorbs the cost—and who is protected from it?

If the answer isn’t me,

then power is operating.

And responsibility follows.

Series: Psychological Capacities for Ethical Adulthood

1. Tolerating Discomfort
2. Repairing Harm
3. Recognizing Power (this episode)

— Calibration: Capacity, Limits, and Responsibility

1. Grief
2. Acting Without Guarantees

— Andrea Fiondo

Kundalini Yoga in Detroit