The Doctrine of Relative Filth 559.5
In the early nineties, I was asked to spend a full day talking about ethics with the entire California Senate. I was their punishment. Three senators had been convicted the previous year, and voters had passed an ethics initiative requiring legislators to receive education on ethical principles.
This was a high-profile, high-prestige program, and I didn’t want to be naïve about Sacramento’s political realities and rationalizations. I spent days interviewing senators and staffers.
During one interview, a senior staffer confided, "We need this program. People lie a lot up here."
I wondered if I should act surprised. ("Lying in politics? I’m shocked!") But before I could respond, the staffer added, "I hardly ever lie."
"Gee," I thought, "do you hardly ever take bribes?"
Although his statement about lying sounded like a confession, he wasn’t embarrassed at all. In fact, he was proud. "Hardly ever lying" made him feel morally superior. In a culture where lying is common, the occasional liar feels like a saint. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
I’ve heard variations of this justification ("I’m not so bad as long as others are worse") so many times that I’ve given it a name: The Doctrine of Relative Filth.
It’s a rationalization used by cheating athletes and coaches, dishonest businessmen, and others to minimize their moral shortcomings by comparing themselves to others who have even lower standards.
What a pathetic defense! People of character aren’t satisfied being better than someone else. They strive to be the best they can be.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Comments
So True, So True. So many of the elected officials across this great land need this. As I'm one of them, I see and hear so much that I know is wrong and the way some abuse their positions. I thank the good Lord for the strength not to be that way. I want to be and do the best I can. Thank You.
Posted by: Alfred Boggs | March 27, 2008 5:13 PM
Ahhh, Mr. Boggs...if you "see and hear so much that you know is wrong" and "see people abusing their positions," do you stand up to those doing the wrong and call them out on it? If so, praise to you and keep up the good work! If not, then you are just as bad as they are and shame on you for not doing what is right.
Posted by: Paula from Antioch, CA | March 28, 2008 7:35 AM
The above philosophy makes me think of an old maxim: It is not hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys.
Posted by: Joseph Zurolo | March 28, 2008 7:55 AM
Ms. Paula, it's easy to sit and point and then shame someone for not "doing what is right" when you're not in their shoes. Some of us see things go on every day that aren't right and blatant abuse of positions/power, but since we need our jobs, we can't say or do anything about it. Seems to be the "norm" in our society, which is very sad. "It" all trickles from the top on down, and it's in our governments, schools, churches, etc. Not to sound "preachy, but it just goes to show how much control Satan has over the world.
Posted by: Lori | March 28, 2008 9:35 AM
First let me begin by saying I look forward to hearing your messages on the radio each day, and it's a welcome & refreshing change to most of what I hear on a daily basis.
Working in the investment real estate field, I'm constantly confronted with new situations and people who are much less than ethical. What troubles me more is I feel the problem is getting worse. A few years ago, it seemed to me people would attempt to "walk the fine line" between legal & moral boundaries. Now it seems to me, many people simply don't care whether they are over the line or not--as long as they are working to reach their desired outcome.
As I see the character of our leaders in question(choose a CEO, New York governor, mortgage lender founder, etc.), it occurred to me that an important part of "character" is willpower. I believe many if not most people still know right from wrong but lack the willpower to stick to their values in the critical time of choice. Whether it's the small decision of sticking to a diet plan (not my wife of course) or a governor out of town on business, there are moments when we need to stand strong on our convictions. . . and it just isn't happening. I'm not minimizing the challenge of being strong when faced with temptation, but I rarely hear of willpower discussed anywhere. And I think willpower makes all the difference if a person is to be counted on for consistent character.
Thanks and keep up your great work. I believe you do make a difference. Your views need to be heard more often than they are broadcast.
Posted by: Dan | March 28, 2008 5:59 PM
Character, like integrity, is built "off stage" by what you think about in your private life. What you think about most directs what you eventually do. We follow our most dominant mindset. Those who lack good character purposed that course before it was ever displayed. Loving what God loves and hating what he hates is a good beginning. Soon you'll have the boldness and courage to confront evil and expose it without fear. Keep in mind we all will receive recompense for what we do from out of the abundance of our heart--good or evil.
Posted by: Cheryl | April 4, 2008 11:00 PM