Patriarch

Ultimately, with those of a patriarchal persuasion (most of them unconsciously so), they key point is to get them to take responsibility for themselves -- for their own actions and behaviour. A committed patriarch is generally unable to do this one essential thing that would enable him to justifiably claim an ethical position. He is too used to leaning upon others, psychologically and emotionally, to have learned the kind of rugged independence of mind (through reflection upon personal experience) that would lead to self-knowledge.

POSTURE: Let us see how he boxes in the ring. He lunges forward with a crazy swing that decenters him, causing him to overcommit his punch. The obvious reason for this is that he expects not to be hit back. His whole movement and posture is constantly a little bit decentred. It is that lack of finding and using his own centre of gravity, located low and in the hips, that will easily undo him.

STRATEGY: Since the patriarch lacks grace of movement, the best approach with him is to become a moving target. Wait for the overcommited lunging punch, which is as inevitable as fleas on rats, and then subtly transfer your position to the left or right of him. He is unlikely to register that he hasn't hit his target until too late. From your position to the side of him, you may choose to counterattack. If feeling unusually sadistic, you may choose to simply watch him making the same mistake again, each time dodging the hapless fighter. If he keeps on doing the same thing, he will at long last tire himself out, at which point you can move in for the coup de grace.