The Ethics of Pride

Pride is a personality trait that can be seen as a positive or negative quality. You must have pride, but if you have too much it becomes self defeating as well as defeating to other’s pride. The Merriam Webster dictionary definition of pride is, “excess self esteem or conceit”, but why does society apply so much pressure for us to have pride if it’s such a questionable trait? Society teaches us we must be prideful; but some take pride too far and by being too prideful actually harm others.
Author John Maxwell says that pride is “a potential pitfall that undermines ethics.” As individuals we must have a sense of worth, a sense of worth helps us achieve goals and successes. Exaggerated self worth is when pride becomes destructive; that fine line between pride and respect, and conceitedness and disrespect has been blurred. According to the Safe Schools Coalition, “Pride is the polar opposite of shame. When we don't teach pride then, by omission, we "teach" shame.” This is an intriguing take on pride management, I believe its quite the bold statement to say, if you aren’t exhibiting pride you exhibit shame.
On campus freshman struggle with gaining self pride, and seniors struggle with harnessing their pride as not to be disrespectful to timid freshman. As the campus community adapts with its students pride and conceit must find a balance. Pledging is a great example for student’s struggle for balance with their pride. As pledges, students voice their pride all over campus, from chants to steps, and even the way pledge classes carry themselves with what they wear. Olivet Pledging is a pride competition; who can yell louder, step better, show more pride for their fraternity or sorority than the next pledge? Is this a healthy display of pride?
When pride is beneficial it is an ethically acceptable trait. When pride hurts others it crosses line to conceit. Putting down others to make yourself more prideful is not ethical. Greek houses; chanting negative verses towards other houses are not a show of pride, but more of a show of conceit. Prideful showings by the Greeks on campus are a rarity, pride is the chants you hear yelling positive ideas, expressing self respect and value. Pride is a positive expression, but it is so easily confused with conceit that people forget its positive qualities. One Olivet College student said, “Pride is unethical when people become ethnocentric.” When displaying pride you must remember that others have pride too, pride that is just as important as yours.
According to Livestrong.org, ethnocentric individuals come off as selfish, stubborn, cocky, snobby, sarcastic, are often in denial, they look down at others, and often seem resentful. Too much pride creates a preoccupation in yourself that is not beneficial to yourself or others. When working in groups your interests shouldn’t be the only interest, thus people with too much pride are often difficult to work with. Author, C.S. Lewis said, “Pride leads to every other vice,” and if you notice pride, you will see too that if it is not managed well it only leads to negative traits, not positive; the real connotation of pride. Pride should be a “reasonable self respect,” according to Merriam Webster.
Speaking to Christian ethics, the Bible speaks to pride many times. In Proverbs it is said that, “ pride goes before destruction, when pride comes then comes disgrace, pride only brings quarrels, and a man’s pride brings him low.” As college students we can be affirmed that pride has always been a sticky subject. For example; as a young child you are taught to be proud of differences, to be proud of your heritage, and to be proud of your accomplishments. Somewhere in society the original message has been lost, superficial children become bullies and pride becomes negative. “I’m the best because you suck,” is not pride, but younger generations seem to think so. Pride isn’t about being the best, it’s about being the best you can be…not compared to others.
As responsible students I think we need to observe our personal pride and check to see if our pride is negative or positive, and we need to make according ethical decisions to be a good role model for future generations. According to Maxwell, we must remember that, “Pride can blind you to your own faults.” And we need to take the opportunity to keep pride in moderation to ensure it is used for its real purpose.

SOURCES

Livestrong.com. Handling Pride. Retrieved on 20 Jan, 2009 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/14711-handling-pride/.
Maxwell, John C. Ethics 101, what every leader needs to know. Center Street Ed Pub. (2005).
Pride. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pride
Reis, Beth. Safe Schools Coalition. (17 June, 2005). Seattle Gay News. Retrieved on 20, Jan, 2009 from http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/TeachingPride_DispellingShame.pdf