I notice that a year ago I touched upon the effect of human arrogance on society,
and some of its characteristics. Today, as then, the most worrying aspect of
the arrogant approach to the universe is the general acceptance in political
and scientific circles that we humans are lords of creation and can do what
we like, how we like, in pursuit of short-term profit. The moral side to this
attitude must be borne in mind, as well as its practical implications.
Arrogance, defined as aggressive conceit, insolence, or the claim to too much
unquestionable authority as of right, is not only a tantalising feature of the
human scene, but a profoundly disturbing one. We encounter it everywhere.
The politicians, irrespective of the stupid grin or the Hitlerite scowl on their
faces, make a point of recognising no one’s version of phenomena other
than their own. The lawyers arrogate to themselves the right to impose their
conclusions on other people, without considerations which throw a different
light on circumstances. Doctors reserve the right to do what they like with
the health and bodies of their patients, and deny any dissent. Scientists take
a firm stand on their interpretation of natural laws, and give way to no one
who disagrees. Public servants, when approached by those to whom service is
owed, either take a lofty attitude of disdain, or disclaim any responsibility
for their decisions and actions. Leaders of religious sects are dogmatic as
regards their assertions of divine authority.
From the angle of psychology, arrogance is neglected. On pursuing the index
columns of serious works on the subject, I was surprised to discover how rarely
the word occurs. It must surely be one aspect of personality disorder. It involves
the isolation of an individual from interpretations other than his own, denies
that there can be any alternative explanation of anything under the sun. Arrogant
people have big mouths and no ears. This isolation might be regarded as a defence
mechanism, by which an individual, inadequate in some social aspect, maintains
a level of self esteem. If this is true, some form of therapy should be offered
to sufferers.
What can be done to counteract arrogance? This raises horrendous problems. In
the first place, arrogance makes people unapproachable; they cannot see beyond
their self-imposed horizon. The converse virtue is modesty, which no arrogant
person can be expected to prize. In fact, the ranks of politics and business
condemn modesty as failure. Success in life, it is preached in the marketplace,
comes from self-assertion, even if that involves trampling lesser mortals underfoot.
"Assert yourself" is the cry, although it is not echoed by those who
think their authority might be undermined by the assertion of their underlings.
And once you start asserting yourself, you are well on the road to becoming
arrogant.
I cannot at the moment think of any way to escape from this dilemma, but if
we continue in that strain the future for our children will be bleak.