Pride? Put your head down!
An element which frequents most lives and characters on a regular basis, often met with oblivion, and if not, then mere justification. It’s a concept we either categorically declare as wrong, or justify its impact to be essentially positive. Pride.
From a moral standpoint, it’s often regarded as ‘wrong’, because of each individual’s essential equal state. From a theistic perspective, we’re all created equally in the eyes of God, and were made in an absolute manner. Hence, by allowing pride to overcome us, we are subordinating ourselves to our ego, and assuming a rank in society that challenges the fundamentals of creation.
Why is it that our ego gets the best of us? Sometimes we feel as though society is below us; we feel our position of power or authority grants us the right to claim and maintain a status. Sometimes we feel that our knowledge entitles us to power and a higher rank in society. The question of legitimacy then arises; what enables us to authorise and dictate our own status? If we’re able to assume a rank in society, surely every other individual is entitled to the same. We must challenge our ego, when it strikes us, and tries to conquer us.
One of the most common reasons people assume superiority over is wealth. Society over the ages has always been divided into classes, each grouped by their monetary value. This form of divide has had and still has several negative connotations attached to it. These divides stem of pride and arrogance. They lead to discrimination and hatred between classes. In a world of negative press, we try being heroic by striving to bring change, but forget the problems’ governing factors; our tendencies and inclination towards arrogance and superiority.
We must ask ourselves; are we solely driven by materialistic gain? Is our purpose purely to attain power and superiority? If not, pride and arrogance is a characteristic of the supposedly powerful.
Although it may sound idealistic, and one might question its practicality, one of the key steps towards order is challenging our current traits.
Essentially, by assuming superiority over society, we are allowing our ego to gain superiority over us, and hence destroying any aspect of authority completely.
