Conscious Hypocrite

Well, it used to be that there is no such thing as a conscious hypocrite. For a hypocrite to remain optimally functional, he must not know that he is one to start with. A hypocrite would strangely rebel against any such suggestion because he  associates that description as a derogatory label, which is universally scorned. What's more, a double-minded hypocrite is an ineffectual one

But now, it seems that one can be a conscious hypocrite and still be standing proud of it. And this hypocrisy is conveniently represented in the dichotomy of two lives as a Christian. The first is a public life where faith is openly suppressed and the second is a private life where faith is freely expressed. The two domains (work/home) never spill over and the boundaries are distinctly drawn. Never the twain shall meet and this is the evolving sleight of hand of the mind.

Faith in the public square is fast becoming a thing of the past. In fact, it may just jeopardize your career trajectory if you stand firm on your religious belief when confronted by the horn dilemma of moral decision. You may be seen as a relic of the past. Or worse, a stumbling block for those who are perfectly fine with little white lies here and there.

Maybe it is at times easier to maneuver in the shadows or cracks between right and wrong than to resolutely choose one side. Postmodernism will tell you that the rightness of an action depends on how you feel about it. When it feels right, then the action is instinctively self-endorsed. And now it is more relevant to ask this: "there's about 50 shades of gray to a "moral" decision, which shade of hue tickles your fancy?"

A recent article drew my interest here. It recounted an event where the archbishop (Vincent Nichols) was invited to chair a gathering of more than 100 financiers and business chiefs. His talk centered on this: "Too many people in big business are living a divided life, ignoring the moral values that they uphold when with their families."

The archbishop then added: "When businesses see themselves as set apart in some ways, free to create their own value system divided from the rest of life, then they are liable to do most harm." He said that "working in business is a noble calling which has had a profound effect on the development of human civilization." I sincerely applaud the humble cleric's noble effort and his rousing speech. 

But the question is, "Does it really matter?" Or, "Can the words of the Bishop cause a radical change in attitude?" Unfortunately, I highly doubt it. Although he was invited by the business honchos, I'm afraid it's more of a PR move to placate the disaffected public than a call for genuine change in the business community. 

Sure there are genuine corporate chiefs who lament the current business climate of greed and profit. But even they themselves would be hard pressed to admit that the business world of cut-throat competition can be wholly transformed by a public act of clerical admonishment. No doubt it will wake some up but those awaken will have to fight against the system to even hope to create a dent in it. 

Herein lies my main qualm. Recall the phrase, "Too Big To Fail?" Well, that's about sums up the market-driven economy where the pursuit of money is the new pursuit of happy-ness. This is the self-perpetuating behemoth that those with a conscience will have to wrestle with. Are we up to the challenge? Are we ready to do major overhaul?

I think we are operating in a culturally self-enriching system and the quandary of morality is more a systemic problem as a whole than a self-autonomous one. No corporate bigwig can turn the tidal wave of thinking around when the bottom line is still the ubiquitous profit margin. I believe the corporate culture is hardwired to make money either by hook, by crook or by snook.

Like a chameleon, we helplessly takes after the color of our environment;  least we look morally out of place. Most of us are blenders (wall paper) rather than outliers (wall bleacher).

I believe that capitalism is the best of the worst systems of economic management. It's the pick of the litter and so far nothing can rival it. It is a utopia of many empty promises. And what keeps capitalism alive, and even thriving, is definitely not that it is working well. It is because the top 1% have benefited insanely riding on it. And they have thus become so entrenched in the system that it is inconceivable for them to ever join the other 99% to undermine it. To do so is to flatline their bottom line. 

I remember one business professor once advised that regime collapses because the uber rich are too flagrant in flouting their personal wealth. Their self indulging ostentation stokes the ire of the masses and causes a public dissent threatening enough to topple the sycophantic government.

So, the lesson for the rich here is to pay homage to virtues by doing good for the sake of self-preservation. In fact, this change (or hypocrisy) is deftly subtle. Dictators are beginning to burnish their public records. They are doing more good works and scrupulously winning the trust of the people by deception of course. Corrupt business leaders are no exception. They are hiring spin doctors to white-wash their entombed image and pursuing philanthropy with hidden agenda.

Parting shot:  Doesn't this all just deepen the wedge of hypocrisy?Let me borrow Descartes's cogito ergo sum,  "I think, therefore I am," and add a modern twist to it with reference to hypocrisy:-

"I am not, therefore I am". 

Alas, as A W Tozer once said, "The world is waiting to hear an authentic voice, a voice from God - not an echo of what others are doing and saying, but an authentic voice." Cheers out.