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LostInParadise's avatar

Can we agree that hypocrisy is always a moral violation?

Asked by LostInParadise (31902points) February 10th, 2014

It is difficult to come up with moral absolutes, but I suggest that avoiding hypocrisy might be one. We can of course forgive people for moral lapses. We are all fallible. I am just saying that hypocrisy must always count as moral lapse. Regardless of what your moral beliefs are, you are obligated to follow them uniformly.

To take an extreme case, if someone is an overt racist, but occasionally treats members of other races fairly, this is an indication of immorality. People may disagree whether the moral violation is the racist attitude or the occasional equal treatment. What we must agree on is that the inconsistency must point to immoral behavior.

[Edit] I should point out that we have to agree that the hypocrisy is related to a morality issue, without necessarily agreeing which side is right. If for example, I say blue is my favorite color, but sometimes prefer things that are green, that inconsistency would not count as hypocrisy.

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