The art of dialogue and discussion have been replaced by rhetorics of blame and shame.
One group attempts to lay blame on opponents and rival groups by associating their policies or actions with some despised concept or idea. If the blame sticks in the minds of enough people, those who lay the blame can claim the higher moral ground and denigrate opponents. If sufficient agreement exists in society, then blame might convince a majority of the population. However, where sharp division exists about basic norms of personal and social life, the sharp edges of blame are blunted.
In fact, those supposed to be cowed by blame are emboldened to claim vilified policies or actions as occupying the higher moral ground: “You say I am a fascist; you are a communist.” “You say I am a traitor; I say I am a true patriot.” Which side occupies the higher moral ground? Beware of those who try to claim the high moral ground in an argument!
Attempts to shame a person or a group have similar results. A manufactured statement or action is revealed anticipating that an opponent will slink away in shame. In most cases, shame does not result, pride does. Attempts to blame and shame create prideful counterclaims that deepen the moats separating opposing fortresses and fill them with toxic substances fanned by hot air. Blame and shame are qualities of those who hurl insults that do not effectively change the character of those attacked.
Attempts to humiliate individuals or groups are also counterproductive. Humiliation does not change character or morality. Humiliation arouses anger and retaliation. Indeed, as Nelson Mandela once observed, “There is nobody more dangerous than one who has been humiliated.”
Cults of punishment surround us. Some speakers seem to take obscene pleasure in berating people with threats of punishment in this world and the next. Too many pulpits and podiums, both secular and religious, thunder with statements that consign people to hell rather than draw them to heaven.
The idea is that threats of punishment might lead to guilt and some reformation of conduct. However, guilt is not effective in producing true repentance and character change. Two psychiatrists visiting a pastoral counseling class began their presentation by saying, “Your goal is to create guilt; our goal is to remove guilt.” The thought came to mind, but not the boldness to respond, “You are ignorant of foundations of my religious beliefs and commitments.” Secular and religious salvation comes not via threats of hell, but by paths to freedom and abundant life for all.
Thus far it might seem that norms for individuals and society are not necessary to avoid blame, shame, guilt and humiliation. No! Positive norms are the result of conscience founded on fundamental, positive moral principles, not ad hoc rants. The first words of our Declaration of Independence are a starting point: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Healthy communities have strong mediating institutions that transmit values and alternatives in contexts that allow individuals freedom to make good moral judgments to govern themselves and society. I want to live in that healthy community.
Raymond B. Williams, Crawfordsville, LaFollette Distinguished Professor in the Humanities emeritus, contributed this guest column.
