Most Singaporeans pride themselves on their strict adherence to values (often unfounded interpretations), not the correctness or the merit in the value itself. They acknowledge the value at face level, usually unquestioningly (Asian education, perhaps?), but are more concerned with the taking actions which specifically express these values, instead of identifying with the mindset which bears the value.
Talk about the value of humility. What does the average Singaporean know about humility? He doesn’t know the feeling of being directly dwarfed by great people, for his ego forbids him, subconsciously, from comparing himself to them. His ego tells himself that they exist in a different league, being shaped by extraordinary circumstances and born with extraordinary intellect which he had not the fortune of possessing – he ought not to be compared them; perhaps comparing himself to people perceived to be of similar calibre should be fairer. But the bias of the mind and ego often chooses its candidates for comparison with great partiality and care – it takes its choice of poor picks, and rationalises how these people failed in where they could have succeeded, while comparing himself in a favourable light.
But no, such subconscious processes are disregarded, for the fact that they are subconscious and Singaporeans seldom confront such ugly things. The last person you want your ugliness to be seen by is yourself, because there is no escape from your own self-consciousness. You can always persuade yourself that other people are ‘misguided’, and ease yourself of your guilt – right?
The Singaporean escape is simple – a blind and zealous devotion to these values. Isn’t it simple to live a life of virtue by conceiving of all kinds of ways to incorporate these values in their life? Humility must be a simple concept – and must be justified by actions (man, who thinks of mindsets?). So, they go about and say, “No lah I suck at _______”, whether he is good at it or not. That is just an example. The best thing is he actually believes that he’s being terribly modest, terribly virtuous.
I talk about humility. I believe humility to be an honest sense of awe towards those who have succeeded, being aware of one’s potential errors. I believe it to be the opposite of condescension. I believe it to be openness, a willingness to have one’s perspective challenged (in a logical and objective fashion I hope).
I do not believe it is about contrived self-deprecating talk.
Other values such as sympathy are also abused. Sympathy doesn’t involve donating regularly on flag day, it doesn’t mean feeling the strong emotion of great sadness and pity for those in unfortunate circumstances. We are conditioned to believe so deeply in such emotions, such that we actually contrive to feel them just to feel morally satisfied. I think such attitudes merely reflect on the dearth of virtue in our society.
Maybe I am misguided in my values, or perhaps I am a product of this highly meritocratic society – I value ability over cheap moral talk.
And are other societies better off?
