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What would you call the opposite of hypocrisy?

English Language & Usage Asked on January 26, 2021

If a person prescribed themselves a set of what is morally allowable, and that set was larger than what they prescribed to other people, I would call that person a hypocrite.

  • For example, suppose Johnny chooses to get circumcised (it’s in his set of morally allowable actions), but he tells others it is wrong to be circumcised. So his set of morally allowable actions is larger than others, making him a hypocrite.

If a person prescribed themselves a set of what is morally allowable, and that set was exactly the same size as what they prescribed to other people, I would call that person morally consistent or something like that.

  • For example, Johnny has chosen to get circumcised and he tells others it is fine to get circumcised.

Finally, and this is my question, what if a person prescribes for themselves a set of what is morally allowable, and that set is smaller than what they prescribe for others?

  • For example, Johnny feels like it would be wrong for him to get circumcised, but he tells others it is fine to get circumcised.

What would I call this person?

  • Principled? But that won’t highlight the imbalance here.
  • Inconsistent? Irrational? Self-loathing? Those seem to give a unneeded negative connotation.
  • Isolationist? Empathetic? Morally generous? Convicted?

2 Answers

You're describing

asceticism

1: the practice of strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline : the condition, practice, or mode of life of an ascetic : rigorous abstention from self-indulgence

[Merriam-Webster]

Answered by Edwin Ashworth on January 26, 2021

I usually hear 'hypocrisy' used in reference to something that is bad but for whatever reason is difficult to avoid (as per the Wikipedia page, "engaging in the same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another").

Like not exercising:

  • Hypocrisy: Johnny doesn't exercise but he tells other people to exercise
  • Neutral,consistent: Johnny exercises and tells other people to exercise
  • Elitist(?): Johnny exercises but tells other people don't exercise

The problem I have with the third one is that Johnny is telling people to not do something that is good for them (unlike the first two). So maybe he is Condescending, because he believes the great unwashed out there can't be as good as him. Or maybe he is simply Evil, because he wants them to die of heart attacks.

Answered by Daniel on January 26, 2021

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