From Humility to Hubris among Scholars and Politicians

Exploring Expressions of Self-Esteem and Achievement

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Health & Well Being, Psychology
Cover of the book From Humility to Hubris among Scholars and Politicians by Robert A. Stebbins, Emerald Publishing Limited
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert A. Stebbins ISBN: 9781787430150
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited Publication: May 16, 2017
Imprint: Emerald Publishing Limited Language: English
Author: Robert A. Stebbins
ISBN: 9781787430150
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
Publication: May 16, 2017
Imprint: Emerald Publishing Limited
Language: English

A main theme running through this book is that we cannot understand the virtues of humility and modesty without an equally good understanding of the vices of hubris and conceit. All four attitudes express self-esteem, which flourishes in the soil of achievement. Achievement is valued in any challenging field, be it art, science, sport, entertainment, business, politics, religion, or administration. And it is for this reason alone that achievers are inclined to discuss their excellence or may be forced to discuss it when others inquire about it or remark on it. By these routes achievement and self-esteem surface frequently in the diverse academic and political exchanges that spawn humility/modesty or hubris/conceit.

Achievement in a respectable activity can be a wonderful personal milestone bathed in positive emotions, where in the modern world individualism and individuation are widely valued. It may also be wonderful for other people in the achiever’s family, social network, community, or society when they are favorably affected. But in this book, when refracted through three additional analytic lenses – individualism and individuality, big- vs small-picture thinking, and tolerance and compromise – the expression of achievement-based self-esteem takes on some startling new dimensions.

One of them is that, at the hubris/conceit end of the continuum of the expression of self-esteem, discussion risks becoming uncivil, owing to the disagreeable ways that achievement is sometimes conveyed (e.g., boasting, name calling, depreciating others’ related achievements). Moreover, such can turn out to be enormously unproductive. Or as Leo Tolstoy once put it: “Conceit is incompatible with understanding.”

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A main theme running through this book is that we cannot understand the virtues of humility and modesty without an equally good understanding of the vices of hubris and conceit. All four attitudes express self-esteem, which flourishes in the soil of achievement. Achievement is valued in any challenging field, be it art, science, sport, entertainment, business, politics, religion, or administration. And it is for this reason alone that achievers are inclined to discuss their excellence or may be forced to discuss it when others inquire about it or remark on it. By these routes achievement and self-esteem surface frequently in the diverse academic and political exchanges that spawn humility/modesty or hubris/conceit.

Achievement in a respectable activity can be a wonderful personal milestone bathed in positive emotions, where in the modern world individualism and individuation are widely valued. It may also be wonderful for other people in the achiever’s family, social network, community, or society when they are favorably affected. But in this book, when refracted through three additional analytic lenses – individualism and individuality, big- vs small-picture thinking, and tolerance and compromise – the expression of achievement-based self-esteem takes on some startling new dimensions.

One of them is that, at the hubris/conceit end of the continuum of the expression of self-esteem, discussion risks becoming uncivil, owing to the disagreeable ways that achievement is sometimes conveyed (e.g., boasting, name calling, depreciating others’ related achievements). Moreover, such can turn out to be enormously unproductive. Or as Leo Tolstoy once put it: “Conceit is incompatible with understanding.”

More books from Emerald Publishing Limited

Cover of the book Action Research for Sustainable Development in a Turbulent World by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book The Challenges of Ethics and Entrepreneurship in the Global Environment by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book The Contribution of Love, and Hate, to Organizational Ethics by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Transforming Learning Environments by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Contingency, Behavioural and Evolutionary Perspectives on Public and Non-Profit Governance by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Advances in Group Processes by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Black Males and Intercollegiate Athletics by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Gendered Perspectives on Conflict and Violence by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Organizing Supply Chain Processes for Sustainable Innovation in the Agri-Food Industry by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book How Institutions Matter! by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book The Corporate, Real Estate, Household, Government and Non-Bank Financial Sectors Under Financial Stability by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book A National Developmental and Negotiated Approach to School and Curriculum Evaluation by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Seminal Ideas for the Next Twenty-Five Years of Advances by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Advances in Accounting Education by Robert A. Stebbins
Cover of the book Interdisciplinary Connections to Special Education by Robert A. Stebbins
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy