I Hypocrite

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I a hypocrite?” then you are not alone. This question can haunt even the most morally sound people. Thankfully, there are some ways to tell if you’re being a hypocrite. McKinnon’s approach is conceptually sound, but it’s also too harsh on the hypocrite.

A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something that he’s not and knows he’s not. People have a hard time trusting or having compassion for a hypocrite, and when you make a mistake, you don’t admit it. To stop being a hypocrite, you must embrace your human side. By showing your real self, you will gain acceptance from people.

While being a hypocrite is a bad thing, sometimes it is the right thing to do. For example, politicians need people to vote for them. Being a hypocrite helps them get more votes. It is a good way to get more votes and is acceptable when you’re in a position of power.

Whether you’re a hypocrite or a self-deceiver, the distinction between the two is a tricky one. Hypocrisy involves deceiving others and yourself. In contrast, self-deception occurs in private. Statman contrasts the two by arguing that hypocrisy is voluntary, while self-deception is not.