HUMILITY IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE

THE CONTEXT: In the wake of the recently concluded general election, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comment on the need for humility and decorum in public discourse is a wake-up call. The idea that the best way to respond to political criticism is through verbal harassment has become popular in the era of TRP-driven media. Public discourse has become a gladiatorial game, teaching the ordinary citizen to be impressed with the nastiness of verbal blows rather than by how they serve matters of importance to the individual or the country. This problem is faced by liberal democracies throughout the world.

THE ISSUES:

• Degradation of Public Discourse: Public discourse deteriorates, particularly in the context of political criticism. It points out that responses to political criticism have increasingly taken the form of verbal harassment, driven by media sensationalism and the pursuit of high television ratings. This trend has turned public debates into gladiatorial contests, focusing on delivering verbal blows rather than addressing substantive issues that matter to individuals and the country.
• Failure to Distinguish Moral Claims: American philosopher Elizabeth Anderson’s diagnosis explains the problem of personal attacks in democratic discourse. She distinguishes between first-order moral claims, which call for good and right actions, and second-order moral claims, which evaluate people’s characters as virtuous or vicious. These claims focus on the merits of policies, ideas, or courses of action. They are concerned with what should be done to address societal problems or improve conditions. In contrast, second-order moral claims evaluate people’s characters, judging them as virtuous or vicious.
• Impact of Personal Attacks and Hate Speech: Personal attacks and hate speech marginalize relevant and meaningful information. They mask the refusal to understand one’s limitations and opponent’s, creating societal divisions. This behavior leads to conclusions about others’ values and character without understanding the reasons behind their views.
• Need for Humility and Care in Public Discourse: The virtues of humility and care are emphasized as necessary to overcome the tendencies of polarizing discourse. These virtues are often relegated to the personal sphere and are not considered matters for government or public discourse. Charles Taylor’s critique of modern secularism supports this point, noting that the training of character has receded into the background.
• Educational and Constitutional Concerns: Montesquieu advocated using education to cultivate a preference for public interest over private interest. B.R. Ambedkar’s apprehension about the quality of citizens working the Constitution is also mentioned, highlighting the concern that a good Constitution can turn sour if managed by a “bad lot.” This underscores the need for character education to ensure the survival and proper functioning of democratic institution

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Promote Intergroup Contact and Perspective-taking: Encouraging meaningful interactions between diverse groups can help reduce prejudice and polarization. This can be achieved by bringing together representative citizens to deliberate on challenging social or political issues. This can foster understanding and highlight common ground—organizing local forums where individuals from different political and social backgrounds can engage in structured, respectful conversations about their views and experiences.
• Encourage Civil Discourse and Set Boundaries: Establish environments where people feel safe to express their opinions without fear of personal attacks—encouraging individuals to set personal and professional boundaries to manage political discussions healthily, ensuring that conversations remain respectful and constructive.
• Reform Media Practices: Implementing stricter moderation policies on news websites and social media to reduce incivility and promote constructive discussions. Encouraging media outlets to provide balanced coverage and avoid sensationalism that exacerbates polarization.
• Educational Initiatives on Humility and Care: Integrating the virtues of humility and care into educational curricula can help cultivate these traits from a young age. Schools and universities can incorporate programs emphasizing the importance of humility, empathy, and understanding in personal and public life. Educating adults on effective communication, conflict resolution, and the importance of intellectual humility in public discourse.
• Policy Reforms to Reduce Polarization: Structural changes in the political system can help mitigate polarization. Implementing voting systems that encourage coalition-building and reduce the winner-takes-all mentality, such as ranked-choice voting. Reducing money’s influence in politics ensures elected officials are more accountable to their constituents than special interest groups.

THE CONCLUSION:

The call for humility and decorum in public discourse is not just a moral imperative but a necessity for the health of our democracy. As highlighted by thinkers like Elizabeth Anderson and Charles Taylor and rooted in the philosophical traditions of Montesquieu and traditional Indian thought, humility, and care are essential for meaningful dialogue and the pursuit of truth. It is time to reorient our public discourse towards these virtues, ensuring that our democratic processes are competitive but also respectful and constructive.

UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:

Q.1 What does the quotation convey to you in the present context? (c) “Do not hate anybody because that hatred from you must return to you in the long run. If you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.”—Swami Vivekananda 2023

Q.2 “Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that it is better for us all” – Erik Erikson 2021

Q.3 ” Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not fold your hands, bless your brothers and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand 2020

Q.4 “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 2019

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q.1 Critically examine the role of character virtues such as humility and care in maintaining the health of a democracy. Discuss how the failure to cultivate these virtues in public and political life can lead to polarization and the erosion of democratic values. Illustrate your answer with relevant examples from both Indian and Western philosophers.

SOURCE:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/humility-in-public-discourse/article68362968.ece