I’ve always espoused the axiom of not neglecting your vices, which for me is more a tactic of pragmatism rather than a dictate of principle. To announce that embracing our vices is better than adherence to standard rules or beliefs may send some into wholesale defense of morality, religion, or politics, so let’s define terms that clarity can be preserved. In my world view a principle is an important underlying law or assumption required in a system of thought. We are Republicans, Democrats, Baptists, Episcopalians, liberals, or conservatives based on the opinions and attitudes we have discovered, processed, and adopted as central to the way we think. On the other hand a vice, for most of us, is a mild failing or flaw in behavior or character rather than the “immoral wicked depravity” of media fodder. For most, the journey of life is a process of identifying vices and if not changing than at least managing them.
My thinking here is that by neglecting vices the tendency will be to focus solely on your virtues. Exclusive focus on anything inevitably produces a tunneled myopic viewpoint that distorts reality and in itself becomes distorted to the point of becoming, in reality, a vice. The definition of principle; i.e. adherence to standard rules or beliefs, is not the primary issue it is the method of discovery, processing, and adoption that becomes the route to distortion. First, most discovery has become external rather than internal. Because of the basic lethargy of the species it seems easier to accept what we are told rather than to find out things by ourselves. Second, taking what we have discovered and comparing it against some normal cultural or personally adopted positions seems to be difficult for most of us and, though a basic element of our physiological makeup, is overtaken by apathy. This leads to further distortion of the first point which is that if we have been told rather than discovered our standard for processing is not ours but someone else’s. Third, lack of decrement in discovery and negligence in processing facilitates adoption of ideas and positions that are embraced rather than erased. If everybody in my groups thinks the same something is askew.
May I submit a couple of examples. Any group, club, synagogue, church, mosque, political party, or government that defines who they are, or we are, as one intractable set of ideals, ideas, or ascribable lists may be too focused on their virtues. An organization that is biased, exclusionary, or abusive to individuals that do not look, talk, or think like they do may be too focused on their virtues. If a group will not include or support points of view that are different than the ones they have come up with may be too focused on their virtues.
The New York Times had an article by Jim Rutenberg and Adam Nagourney, Conservatives Make a List to Measure Candidates’ Commitment, in which they reported on a proposed resolution dictating that Republican candidates’ adherence to a basic 10 item list of conservative principles. Not subscribing would result in the withholding of campaign money and endorsements. As a Republican I think these folks may be too focused on their virtues.
Radicalization” and the possible penetration of “violent extremist ideology” are potential threat to national security and have become of great concern to many in the country, including Muslim leaders and national Muslim organizations. Radicalization often results from the marginalization and a deepening sense of exclusion and unfair treatment by establish social groups and government agencies. And the extremist ideology responsible for violent outbursts is often rooted in the systematic demonization of marginalized groups. Rather than being seen as an asset and an important force to prevent radicalization, national Muslim organizations have, since 9/11, come under relentless attacks by far right individuals and groups whose aim have been to delegitimize the authentic voices of the American Muslim community.[1] As a Jew I think these folks may be too focused on their virtues.
Providence, Rhode Island bishop has forbidden a U.S. Congressman to receive the Roman Catholic sacrament of Holy Communion because of his advocacy of abortion rights. The penalty was explained by telling him he was “not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I’ve taken as a public official.”[2] As someone who not very good at practicing anything, I think these folks may be too focused on their virtues.
Exclusive focus on anything inevitably produces a tunneled myopic viewpoint that distorts reality and in itself becomes distorted to the point of becoming a vice. The only way we grow as individuals, a culture, a nation, a world is by recognizing how we can live together. Only by identifying and confronting our vices will we ever be virtuous. We’ve got to pay more attention to vices so our virtues don’t take over.
