How does one gauge sincerity to a cause against mere self-righteousness? Why? My answer: One gauges sincerity to a cause against mere self-righteousness by discerning the observed‘s adherence to reciprocity, harm avoidance, the golden rule(treating others as the treater wants to be treated), the silver rule(NOT treating others as the treater does NOT want to be treated), tradition(what led previous generations to survive and to be anti-fragile), risk analysis(everyone analyzes risks because NO human has complete information to act on), symmetry, empathy, common sense(evolutionary set instincts), human dignity and skin in the game(those paying a more immediate price for the consequence have the greater right to opine as goes with reciprocity and harm avoidance). Plus admitting all humans have the impulses to commit unethical acts and anyone claiming otherwise is disingenuous because no act is completely selfless nor completely selfish. Which consistently leads to an open society with negative utilitarianism(reduce suffering as much as possible without violating before mentioned risk analysis, reciprocity and skin in the game due to desired societal anti fragility).
Alexander Ohnemus
Your question is difficult to understand. Let me contextualize it with a historical example, namely that of indoctrinated and brainwashed German boys who were initiated into Jungvolk, were promoted to Hitler Youth, attended the special schools run by the SS, and were subsequently selected to be SS officers.
Those men presumably regarded themselves as indubitably correct in their ideological convictions and morally superior to their subordinates, as well as all of those outside the Nazi fold, Germans as well as non-Germans. I take it that that would epitomize both self-righteousness and sincerity in adherence to the Nazi cause and its Führerprinzip.
You seem to be suggesting that mere self-righteousness is differentiated from sincere adherence to a cause, in that sincerity requires adherence to a host of moral principles. However, it seems to me that for such indoctrinated men such principles were adhered to mostly in regard to their Nazi superiors and equals, less so to their Nazi subsordinates, even less to other (non-Jewish or Aryan) Germans, and entirely optional as regards Jews, non-Aryans, and non-Germans.
@Alexander: Very deep analysis in a form of a question. @Karl: I agree with your claim when you mentioned the example of brainwashed German boys and commitment to a moral cause. Based on my modest knowledge about virtue ethics, I would add that more parameters can be added to an act in order to be called virtuous. In addition to the golden rule and categorical imperatives, virtuous examplars can enlighten one's choice. The time/place context is of equal importance as well. When applying these V-rules to nature, Ronald Sandler in his book Character & Environment listed a couple of things to take into account when assessing the morality of a given act.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Mind