A Tear is an Intellectual Thing - Essay Example

            Neu (2002) defines pride as “a sin of judgment, an intellectual deviation involving bias in favor of one’s self”. Pride can be a state of mental conditioning of one’s self in a way that it gives them a sense of achievement against one’s own standards or even against others in terms of financial, social, and other status. It can be observed in almost every person at some point or the other and can be a conscious effort or can be influenced or conditioned due to the environment in which he or she lives. Most of the time, this characteristic is observed in individuals who have experienced a change in their living conditions or social standing. Pride can be considered as a positive influence on the person who has this sense of being proud and boosts his self-confidence. It can also be found to be based on one’s own evaluation of the self and their capabilities and achieving more than what they are capable of makes them feel proud of themselves and in turn, such people expect others to gauge him or her by the same standards. Taylor (1985) observes that “the norm is based on one’s own ability and performances: he has done better than he expected and so experiences a boost to his self-confidence”.

How to recognize?

            Pride makes a man exhibit some of the qualities or behavior that are seen as undesirable by others while it is considered to be positive by the one who possesses it. This kind of person is understood to be crediting himself for some of his achievements as he might be considering that his newfound status is certainly a standard for himself and for others to gain credentials in society. As each looks at a particular achievement based on their level of understanding, the achievements and the pride associated are also varying in extent, expectations, and effect.

While some can be considering themselves as pretty different and successful among others, there are those who feel self-righteous even when they are aware that they are not right according to their conscience. They would rather be complacent they are acting in tune with society’s norms and hence need not feel ashamed of their behavior. This comes from the fact that their self-esteem and self-evaluation are higher according to their own capabilities and standards, although it has nothing to do with the standards of the outer environment. In fact, as Neu observes, one finds that “all the goods things of others become displeasing, and the things he has done to himself, even when they are mistakes, alone please him…he favors himself in his thought; and when he thinks he surpasses others in all things, he walks with himself along with the broad space of his thought and silently utters his own praises” (2002).

Taylor (1985) notes that the “person with such a trait sees himself as superior to others in terms of expectations he sets for himself, and the achievement of these standards makes him take for granted that others respect him for both the standards and achievement. He further notes that this may not always be to hurt or look down upon someone but to establish his place; regards lowering of the standards and expectations as a threat to his self-respect”.