Humility: the despised virtue?

IF REALITY TELEVISION is any indication of broad cultural trends and emerging fashions in personal behaviour, Australian society is clearly abandoning the noble virtues of faith, hope, love, liberality, chastity, temperance, prudence, fortitude and diligence that were once deemed crucial to the evolution of human civilisation and commonly thought necessary to its survival. Although enshrined within the social vision of most religious faiths and humanist traditions, by either neglect or ignorance it appears these virtues are now rarely esteemed and seldom practised. But I want to suggest that one virtue has suffered a more ignominious fate. Humility is no longer regarded as a virtue to be pursued. It is even despised. Its fate is arguably a product of urbanisation.

In exchange for village life where everyone was known and usually acknowledged, in the nineteenth century people moved to cities where they were unknown and generally ignored. A desire to be recognised and valued among strangers prompted people to do things that would get them noticed and praised. The humble were destined to anonymity. As a personal disposition or a state of life, humility had to be transcended and overcome in the modem, faceless metropolis.

Most Australians have little interest in pursuing humility or being humble. As a virtue it is seldom promoted, let alone discussed, in the public square. It seems we have embraced Nietzsche's conclusion that "humility is bad" and a definite sign of weakness. Before descending into insanity, Nietzsche claimed that humility is a false virtue employed to hide frailty and feebleness, and was the principal barrier to human progress and the attainment of greatness. At a recent youth forum I attended, delegates implied that humility is synonymous with poor self-esteem and under-achievement in relation to individuals, and akin to weakness and failure when encountered in nations.

As a consequence of losing an appreciation of humility, we inhibit a world of ambitious, proud and self-righteous individuals. They are to be found in almost every field of human endeavour. In the absence of reticence about their own shortcomings or the narrowness of their own experience, they freely offer their opinions and dispense advice in the expectation that it be received reverently and taken dutifully. They are never backward in coming forward and don't mind stepping over those who get in their way. In our society, self-promotion is expected. Vanity is accommodated. Narcissism is even encouraged. A popular song proclaims that love of self "is the greatest love of all".

The new wisdom holds that only by an aggressive pursuit of my aspirations and desires will I survive and thrive. To strive for humility in a self-exalting world is considered curious and quaint at best, and absurd if not abnormal at worst. The humble are invariably counted among the non-entities with only themselves to blame for their lamentable plight.

But there is an irony. Many Australians continue to struggle with feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. They see themselves at home or at work as victims of unrelenting criticism and merciless condemnation. Among those with slightly better self-esteem, their life is diminished by the disrespect and discourtesy routinely shown them by others. There is little spontaneous altruism or community spirit to lighten the burdens of the day. And there is the universal complaint that on the roads, inside shopping malls and at the office, too many people are simply "looking after number one".

Given the level of anxiety evident in our cities and the lack of consideration for others in public places, there is merit in asking whether humility still has a place in Australian life. Indeed, could it be that a lack of humility or, in some quarters, its complete abandonment, is the source of much that ordinary people, and possibly the nation, lament? Might it be that humility remains a necessary ingredient for building a healthy self-understanding and the maintenance of more harmonious relationships within families, workplaces and, indeed, the international community? This essay explores these questions in the hope of reviving interest in humility as a virtue worth attaining.