The unearned moral virtue of the left

I’ve heard Jordan Peterson explain wokeness as a way to attain unearned moral virtue simply by having the right opinions and hating the right people.

That phenomenon is not limited to the woke, of course. The idea that you are saved and Jesus’ best friend simply because you believe the right things about him is similar. Although Evangelical Christians don’t typically set fire to things and destroy police cars to signal their virtue.

I was reminded of Peterson’s anlysis of the woke when I read this: Left-wing extremism linked to psychopathy and narcissism: study

[I]ndividuals with dark personalities — such as high narcissistic and psychopathic traits — are attracted to certain forms of political and social activism which they can use as a vehicle to satisfy their own ego-focused needs instead of actually aiming at social justice and equality …

In particular, certain forms of activism might provide them with opportunities for positive self-presentation and displays of moral superiority, to gain social status, to dominate others, and to engage in social conflicts and aggression to satisfy their need for thrill seeking.

As grandiose narcissists typically desire fame, distinction, elevated social status and high social importance, they can be assumed to strive for influential positions that involve social visibility and outreach as well as access to financial and other resources.

8 thoughts on “The unearned moral virtue of the left”

  2. QUOTE: That phenomenon is not limited to the woke, of course.

    Wouldn’t this post be more accurately titled…”the unearned moral virtue of extremists“? Indeed, the behavior that’s described is not limited…as it spans across many groups, inclusive of the right.

    1. No, because some extremists
      * take actions that earn their virtue
      * are not acting to satisfy their own egos
      * are not interested in displays, status, domination, etc.

      1. Yeah right, extremists like Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, and indeed Jordan Peterson are taking actions to earn their vitue, are not acting to satisfy their own egos, are not interested in displays, status, domination, etc. That’s why we love to hear them run off at the mouth.

          1. Look up the word “examples,” as you have failed to give any of those.

      2. Well, in that case the very exceptions you raise could apply to the left:

        Some leftists…
        *take actions that earn their virtue
        *are not acting to satisfy their own egos
        *are not interested in displays, status, domination, etc.

        In any case, the point is… the behavior that’s described is not limited…as it spans across many groups, inclusive of the right.

  3. Looking at social media, I find this equal to both sides:

    In particular, certain forms of activism might provide them with opportunities for positive self-presentation and displays of moral superiority, to gain social status, to dominate others, and to engage in social conflicts and aggression to satisfy their need for thrill seeking.

    I was on YouTube and some vid unfortunately came up titled something like “Charlie Kirk destroys woke college student”…or something like it. There are hundreds/thousands/tens of thousands videos like that, right? So, a nearly 30 year old person who argues for a living beats an amateur 19 year old college student? Oh, sign me up for more…

    Evidently, “Charlie Kirk has open/honest conversation with woke college student” is not what the public wants to see. So I see what you wrote, and think, yeah? Only the left? Or predominantly the left?

    Really don’t buy it.

    Also, think it ironic …. “social science studies are bullshit…” oh, I found one that agrees with what I think. This one must be true.

Comments are closed.