From Ancient Hatei to Hubris Syndrome in SARS-CoV-2 Health Crisis Management.

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, in a very inflictive way, the need for less hubristic political leadership, revealing the menaces of arrogant decision making of those in power. Hubris Syndrome is associated with power and it is more likely to manifest itself the longer the person exercises power and the greater the power he exercises, while our modern times 'Hatei' (the goddess that blinded ancient leaders committing hubris) may be called positive illusion enhancement due to prolonged exposure to power. Hatei might also blurs the decision makers' vision through a hormonal pathway, since hormones seem to affect risk taking, as well as through serotonin, which is also involved in the regulation of decision making and processing punishment-related information, deficiencies of which could be relevant to Hubris Syndrome. Other findings may provide information regarding the neuro-anatomical 'location' of Hatei, since fronto-striatal and limbic-striatal dopaminergic pathways have been identified as important regulators of impulsive behaviors. Therefore we might consider choosing political leaders and state officials whose less illusionary character is more likely to become non-flammable against the fire of hubris, in periods of crisis like the current COVID-19 Pandemic. Especially in SARS-CoV-2 era we should bring whatever scientific data there may be to tackle the intoxicating effects of power, keeping also in mind that there are no anti-hubris medication and that it is unlikely to have this social construct improved via pharmacology. Before establishing constitutional procedures for the early diagnosis of hubris as well as for the subsequent constrain of our leaders' power, we should focus on the criteria by which we elect them and maybe include the pre-existence of depressive diathesis among those criteria, especially if we consider that those leaders might have to handle tough situations like the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, that require increased empathy in decision making.