Isn’t it funny?

THE RULES OF COURTESY

“Some people really do believe that they are exempt from the rules of courtesy that they expect from others.” Good luck to You

Since the rules of courtesy are not inscribed on any tablets regulating personal conduct, the belief of some people that they are exempt from such rules might rest upon two foundations, their egomania on the one hand and on the vagueness of such rules on the other.

Indeed, there might be seen to be an inverse relation between the two. In other words, the greater the degree of vagueness of such rules, the less they are observed by the egomaniac. The egomaniac, of course, is simply stupid. He is congenitally incapable of “seeing himself in the eyes of others,” as the common expression has it. His incapacity is co-extensive with his stupidity. That is what it MEANS to be stupid.

The more difficult question relates to the “rules” themselves. To say that “you should do unto others as you would be done by” is of such an abstract nature that it resists application in specific cases. The question reduces to a matter of moral philosophy. While one should treat others with due respect, consideration and so on, what constitutes such respect and consideration is open to interpretation, to reflective judgement. Further, one might honestly think that some are not worthy of one’s respect and consideration. Maybe they are egomaniacs. Maybe they are just stupid.

I ask you, should one treat the stupid egomaniac in accordance with the rules of courtesy? Or, rather, should one just give him the back of one’s hand?

A pleasure as always.

Cheerio!