How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur: Book Overview
Have you ever wondered how to navigate the complex world of ethics? Are you looking for practical guidance on how to be a better person?
In How to Be Perfect, Michael Schur offers a witty and accessible exploration of moral philosophy. You'll discover key ethical frameworks and learn how to apply them to everyday situations.
Let's dive into Schur's insightful guide on how to be a better human being.
Overview of How to Be Perfect
Have you ever struggled to make an ethical decision? In How to Be Perfect, Michael Schur walks through key ethical frameworks and explores how to apply them in challenging real-life scenarios. You'll learn about Aristotle's virtue ethics, Kant's deontological ethics focused on duty, and utilitarian philosophies like that of Bentham.
The book examines how privilege, circumstances, and luck shape our ability to act ethically. It discusses the importance of humility, aiming for constant improvement rather than unachievable perfection, and taking responsibility when you inevitably fall short.
Applying Ethical Principles in Daily Life
Incorporating ethical principles into our everyday decisions can be challenging. While moral philosophy offers guidance, it often struggles with complex, ambiguous, or emotionally charged situations. Let's explore how we can apply ethical thinking to real-world scenarios.
The Trolley Problem is a classic ethical dilemma that highlights the inconsistencies in how we apply moral principles. It asks whether it's ethical to sacrifice one person to save a larger group. Utilitarianism would support this action as it reduces overall harm. However, this approach can conflict with our personal integrity and our recognition of individual worth. It's a stark reminder that adhering to a single philosophical viewpoint can be difficult in practice.
Consider the case of Chick-fil-A, where an executive's opposition to same-sex marriage sparked heated debates. This situation demonstrates how personal preferences can sometimes override our commitment to unwavering values. The dilemma forced people to weigh their ethical stance against their desire for tasty chicken sandwiches, while also considering the potential impact on employees. It's a prime example of the challenges we face when trying to align our actions with our moral beliefs in everyday life.
Evaluating Motives and Outcomes
When faced with ethical dilemmas, it's crucial to evaluate motives, understand outcomes, and recognize when our actions fall short. Ethical scenarios are rarely black and white, often requiring a thorough analysis that considers multiple factors.
Apologies and admitting mistakes play a vital role in moral growth, even though they can be uncomfortable. By acknowledging our errors, we open the door to learning and increase our chances of making better decisions in the future. Remember, ethical behavior isn't innate – it requires ongoing effort, reflection, and an acceptance that we won't always meet our ideal standards.
Ethical philosophy isn't a foolproof guide for every situation. Instead, it provides a framework upon which we can build our own ethical understanding. We need to continually refine this understanding based on our real-world experiences. The principles of ethical philosophy, while complex and sometimes conflicting, don't provide clear-cut answers for every social interaction. Our ethical growth is shaped by our persistent efforts to align our actions with our moral beliefs, despite the inevitability of mistakes and flaws.
The Role of Privilege in Ethical Behavior
Our ability to act ethically is significantly influenced by our societal privilege, individual circumstances, and luck. Those with greater privilege and financial resources have a heightened obligation to act ethically.
Philosopher John Rawls proposed that societal rules should be determined without any awareness of one's personal place in that society. This approach encourages the creation of a society where everyone starts on equal footing, fostering fairness and empathy. Building on this idea, Peter Singer argues that wealthy individuals, especially billionaires, have a deep-seated duty to improve the lives of the underprivileged. He calls upon those with the greatest wealth to make substantial contributions toward reducing global poverty.
The Impact of Personal Circumstances
Our varied experiences and personal histories can sometimes complicate our efforts to consistently behave ethically. Writer Julia Annas highlights how difficult circumstances, particularly poverty and detrimental environments, can limit people's ability to reflect on and improve their behavior. Those struggling to meet basic needs may not have the luxury of focusing on ethical considerations in their actions.
On the flip side, individuals with significant advantages and without pressing needs generally find it easier to adhere to moral principles. When your basic needs are met, you have more mental and emotional capacity to engage in higher-level moral behaviors. This doesn't mean that those with fewer resources can't act ethically, but it does acknowledge the additional challenges they may face.
These examples demonstrate how a person's moral conduct and responsibilities are profoundly influenced by their specific circumstances and the benefits they derive from society. The concept of the Veil of Ignorance suggests that those with greater resources or advantages might carry a larger ethical burden and have increased opportunities to act morally. It's important to recognize that our moral behaviors are shaped by societal benefits and elements of randomness, and that variations in starting circumstances lead to diverse abilities to act ethically.
The Importance of Humility and Self-Improvement
Recognizing personal errors, fostering a sense of modesty, and continually aiming to improve oneself are essential in establishing an individual's moral base. Navigating the complex terrain of proper behavior and personal growth involves understanding these fundamental elements of ethical development.
Overconfidence and an unwillingness to acknowledge mistakes can seriously undermine moral growth. Philosopher Harry Frankfurt's concept of "bullshit" highlights how we often substitute heartfelt apologies with ostentatious verbiage. Frankfurt argues that the essence of bullshit isn't so much about its deviation from truth, but its inherent insincerity. Someone who speaks nonsense is more concerned with impressing their audience than ensuring the truthfulness of their statements. This approach often hinders our ability to offer sincere apologies and admit our own errors, both of which are crucial for substantive moral progress.
The Power of Genuine Remorse
A key component of moral development involves humbly acknowledging our own shortcomings and flaws. When we accept that errors are inevitable, we can view the discomfort and remorse associated with offering apologies as progressive steps, rather than something to avoid or cover up with insincere excuses.
Consider Pope John Paul II's demonstration of remorse for the Catholic Church's historical condemnation of Galileo. This act highlights the importance of admitting to one's errors, even on an institutional level. When institutions apologize, they demonstrate openness and recognize their obligation to rectify the damage inflicted upon those affected.
Ethical Behavior as a Continuous Journey
It's crucial to understand that ethical behavior isn't a perpetual state of flawlessness. Instead, it involves continuously striving and stumbling, followed by renewed commitment. The perspective of existentialism highlights that the path to moral behavior is an ongoing voyage characterized by trial and error, occasional obstacles, and a steadfast commitment to betterment.
This viewpoint recognizes the deep discomfort and sense of duty associated with the immense freedom inherent in our being. It proposes that our goal should be continuous striving and learning from our mistakes, rather than chasing an unattainable level of ethical perfection.
Apologies serve not only to rectify past mistakes but are also essential in the continuous journey towards moral betterment. The author underscores the importance of perseverance, highlighting that our ongoing dedication is what truly matters, even in the face of numerous setbacks. Persist in your efforts. This perspective maintains that expressing regret is not just an ethical duty but also represents a commitment to ongoing improvement and attentiveness to the welfare of others.
In essence, the path to ethical growth is gradual, requiring a sincere willingness to express remorse and uphold modesty, as well as an unwavering commitment to ongoing self-improvement. By embracing this approach, you can foster a lifestyle centered on moral principles, where your own development and the prosperity of others become mutually reinforcing goals.