Moral
wisdom for the modern world
by
Michael Austin
Humility: Humility
is a trait worth having.
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| *The violet is a symbol for humility, in some traditions. |
Recent studies show that humility is connected with many forms of
pro-social behavior. While some misunderstand humility as low self-esteem or
self-denigration, a proper conception of this virtue has both self-regarding
and other-regarding components. The humble person keeps her accomplishments,
gifts, and talents in a proper perspective. She has self-knowledge, and is
aware of her limitations as an individual and as a human being. But humble
individuals are also oriented towards others, they value the welfare of other
people and have the ability to "forget themselves" as well, when
appropriate.
Interestingly, the empirical research
on humility shows that this trait has
great value. Humility has been linked with better academic performance, job
performance, and excellence in leadership.
Humble people have better social relationships, avoid deception in their
social interactions, and they tend to be forgiving, grateful, and cooperative.
A recent set of studies also shows that humility is a consistent predictor of
generosity.1 People who are humble tend to be more generous
with both their time and their money.
Some philosophers historically have not been impressed with
humility. Aristotle leaves it out of his catalogue of virtues, while both David
Hume and Friedrich Nietzsche are critical of this trait.
Hume, for example, says:
"Celibacy, fasting, penance,
mortification, self-denial, humility, silence, solitude, and the whole train of
monkish virtues; for what reason are they everywhere rejected by men of sense,
but because they serve to no manner of purpose; neither advance a man’s fortune
in the world, nor render him a more valuable member of society; neither qualify
him for the entertainment of company, nor increase his power of self-enjoyment?
We observe, on the contrary, that they cross all these desirable ends; stupefy
the understanding and harden the heart, obscure the fancy and sour the temper.
We justly, therefore, transfer them to the opposite column, and place them in
the catalogue of vices"2
However, the empirical evidence seems
to show that this sort of criticism of humility is mistaken. Humility can
advance one's fortune in the world, as it is a distinguishing trait of CEO's of
successful organizations. The connection between humility and generosity shows
that it does render one a more valuable member of society. Others see humble individuals
as well-adjusted and kind. It looks like the empirical evidence about the value
of humility shows us that Hume's rejection of it was a mistake.
Given its appropriateness for us as
limited and fallible human beings, and its value for both individual
flourishing and social welfare, humility is a trait worth cultivating.
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1 Julie Exline and
Peter Hill, "Humility: A consistent and robust predictor of
generosity," The Journal of Positive
Psychology (May 2012): 208-218. This article contains the
references related to the other empirical findings related to humility
discussed above.
2 An Enquiry into
the Principles of Morals (Indianapolis:
Hackett, 1983), pp. 73-74.
