Hubris and humility, which would you prefer in a leader? It is clear hubris is a character flaw so deeply ingrained into the psyche of an individual as to bring its subject to the brink of a grand disaster. When it is time for reason and judgment to prevail, hubris is that which sends its victim over the top an into the pit of failure. The Greeks who knew human nature saw the dark and disturbing aspect of this disease of the ego. While not a psychologist or a psychiatrist for that matter, I would think overconfidence plays an important role in the development of this character trait. Humility, on the other hand, is a characteristic that curtails the over development of an ego. The person with this personality trait often recognizes the trust people place in them. They assume their role with a sense of obligation to those who bestow that trust. Lincoln in his many words often understood the responsibility that comes along with trust.
Last night we got a glimpse of Ms. (oh, I guess she prefers Mrs.) Palin. When asked about her being called upon to serve as Vice Presidential candidate she responded without a bit of humility, she plunged right into saying she was ready. Mr. Gibson was struck with the response. Now, I am not sure she wouldn't be able to do the job. Let's face it as along as McCain is vertical no problem. She can get her passport and see the world, provided, of course, she brings the spin masters around with her. Heck it's better than joining the Navy especially with the old warrior waiting to deploy the forces in any theater he may believe to be a real or imagined threat.
Heck, coming from Alaska and shooting moose and gutting them, makes one cocky. Heck standing there with an assault rifle gives one confidence beyond common sense. But high office demands a different skill set. Humility allows a person to learn and grow and understand. Hubris, on the other hand, drives a person to a place beyond redemption or success. It is a flaw so ingrained in human nature that not many survive its devastating consequences. Its root cause I suspect comes from overconfidence and lack of understanding of the complex nature of many aspects of life. For the average person, the consequences are bankruptcy, firings, or failed relationships. For leaders, their personal fortunes fail but also those who blindly follow them.
Both McCain and Palin have demonstrated evidence of budding hubris: McCain with his incessant call for victory in a land we have no right to be in, and Palin with her smug acerbic tongue who equates seeing Russia from the remote corners of Alaska with expertise in foreign affairs. These are the times that should cause every person to look closely at two who are diving head first down the perilous rabbit hole of self indulgence and entitlement.
1 comment:
John, yes, the Greeks knew a thing or two about hubris. It was a major theme in their literature. Interestingly, and perhaps frighteningly, they knew that hubris was often "corrected" by the vengeful fate personified as the remorseless goddess, Nemesis.
For a chilling yet thorough account of how this is playing out in American foreign policy, check out Chalmers Johnson's book "Nemesis: the Last Days of the American Empire".
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