History: July 2023 Archives

A problem of human nature. - Claremont Review of Books

Leonard Sax writes:

"Rahav Gabay and her colleagues at Tel Aviv University have identified a personality trait they call 'interpersonal victimhood.' Gabay finds that you need not have suffered any trauma yourself to manifest interpersonal victimhood. You identify with the trauma of others and claim it as your own, thereby acquiring all the moral credit ordinarily ascribed to victims. One key component of interpersonal victimhood, according to Gabay, is moral elitism, the belief that you yourself are virtuous, especially compared to those you disagree with or dislike. Gabay and colleagues find that moral elitism is highly correlated with a lack of empathy, 'the sense of entitlement to behave aggressively and selfishly.' Moral elitism enables individuals 'to feel morally superior even though they exhibit aggression.'..."

"In 1934, Adolf Hitler was popular on the campuses of Germany's top universities. Leading intellectuals such as Martin Heidegger were members of the Nazi Party. German history, from 1932 to 1937, can teach us some lessons of tremendous importance if we are prepared to learn them. But the lesson to learn is not I am such a good person, so much better than those evil Nazis. The lesson should be: Moral elitism feels good, but it is a temptation that I must resist. I must recognize and acknowledge my opponent's humanity."