Humility is NOT a Virtue

Sorry about this! I recently posted a satirical video defending humility (the saving grace of humility is that it can make you look better). I should have been more obvious.

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Category:

Education

Tags:

• mrcropper
• humility
• virtue

[Beethovens7th]

MrCropper, what do you have to say to people who think we're just defining "humility" incorrectly? Some people argue that humility is okay sometimes, that it's just a healthy awareness of your own fallibility. I think these people are completely wrong, and that this idea of the meaning of humility is part of a package deal from the altruists, and that real humility means self-deprecation. What do you think?

[MrCropper]

"real humility means self-deprecation. "

Bingo.

[tessellation]

MrCropper@ Understanding your own limits is not self-deprecation. I don't have to have anyone around praising me to make use of humility, such as in the case of caution. Thinking I can save a man from drowning when I know I cannot swim is a bad idea.

/watch?v=K5wCfYujRdE&list

/watch?v=QleRgTBMX88

/watch?v=iUbfRzxNy20

/watch?v=2tcOi9a3-B0

There is nothing wrong with confidence, and self-deprecation is just self-loathing, but for your own sake and others you should be mindful of human fallibility.

[lunagalapogos]

Some definitions of humble are good (e.g. unpretending, unpretentious) because they imply a state of awareness of one's skills and fallibility. Other definitions of humble are not so good (e.g. insignificance, inferiority) because they are over-critical and don't help inspire people's potential. I think it is wise to be wary of condemning any word since there tend to be connotations that don't deserve such treatment.

[rh001YT]

"humility" is not a well defined word as it has to be explained in various contexts with examples, unlike "copper" which is very cut and dry. Humility is generally advantageous to individuals and community for the purpose of general agreeability, and so is in that sense a virtue. It is said that even Beethoven usually apologized for his arrogant outbursts after he came back to his senses. How many are as good as what they do as was Beethoven? And then there was Bach, a very humble man.

[marketofideas]

Humility is indeed a wonderful virtue it means accepting your own self and being true and honest to who you really are and embracing your individuality instead of claiming superiority and arrognce over others. It is the polar opposite of self-conceit and self-deception.

[brihurley]

Its definitely possible for someone to act humbly, like the example you use of someone who doesnt want to admit their presentation will be great when they know it will be, however thats not honest. Aristotle would say that its called mock-modesty or self depreciation (dep. on translation), which is a deficiency of truthfulness. Its blameworthy just as you say it is, but that doesnt mean you are using the correct terminology. Humility is not mock-modesty.

[brihurley]

MrCropper you yourself say at the end of your video that humility is egotistical and self serving and that fact is ironic. It seems to me that your acknowledgment that it is ironic shows that clearly that statement goes against the true nature of humility otherwise it wouldnt be ironic, it would be a fact. Humility is someone who wouldnt admit or even necessarily be aware that they were humble, they would be someone who is teachable, someone who isn't prideful.

[cha0tic3vil]

"Humility serves well those whom wield it well."

Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn

[hyperseauton]

I might have incidentally responded honestly to your satirical video. Honestly I cannot tell the difference.

[Sam26100]

Maybe I should clarify.

I think humility is bad when talking about things which already happened. In other words if you've achieved something that you know to be truly praiseworthy, it is not a virtue to bow your head and say "it was nothing, It just took me half my life, and tons of effort and courage and competence etc"  You should be able to look people in the eye and tell them that you're proud of your achievement.

But talking about things yet to happen, a bit of caution I think is wise