Contempt and the Cultivation of Character. Issue 3 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: West, Ryan
• Is Part Of: Journal of religious ethics. Volume 43:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 519
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Ethics -- Periodicals; Religious ethics -- Periodicals; Morale religieuse; Religion; Théologie; 205
• DOI: 10.1111/jore.12107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0384-9694

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Macalester Bell urges the cultivation of apt contempt as the best response to what she calls "the vices of superiority" (arrogance, hypocrisy, racism, and the like). In this essay, I sketch two character profiles. The first—the ideal contemnor—paradigmatically answers the vices of superiority with contempt. The second—the ideal Christian neighbor—is marked by humility and love, and answers the vices of superiority in non‐contemptuous ways. I argue that the latter character rivals (and may even outshine) the former as a fitting moral response to the vices of superiority. Furthermore, I argue that the two character profiles are incompatible, so one cannot jointly cultivate humble love and contempt. Given contempt's nastiness, and the alternative resources available for answering the vices of superiority, I suggest one should focus one's character‐formation efforts on the cultivation of humility and love.</p> </abstract>