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The Greatest Literature Assaults the Vice of Pride
“I’m more important than you” is one of the ugliest things a person can say, and this kind of thinking contributes to most of the problems humanity creates. Racism, nationalism, sexism, etc. essentially originate in a feeling of superiority. We call this feeling of superiority pride.
People today, especially young people, are more inclined to think of pride as something good. We are encouraged to be proud of our accomplishments, our affiliations, and our country, and we are taught that pride is an important ingredient for success.
Some pride is good. Minorities use it to assert their equality and resist mistreatment. The Black Pride and LGBTQ Pride movements were necessary responses to prejudice and discrimination.
Some pride occupies a gray area. Some people don’t have a problem with the idea that in order to be really successful, they have to take something away from somebody else. People will expect you to put yourself and your needs ahead of others. Marketing encourages you to think of yourself as the most important person in the world. Go ahead and buy that expensive thing you don’t need. You deserve it. You’re special. Plenty of people don’t see a problem with this or think it is necessary to resist it.
