C-9: CHATTING WITH GPT: THE MORAL HIGHGROUND

Powerful tools should be used. After playing around with GPT for some time, I found that even though it still is not 100% accurate or complete, it is good enough to use seriously. It still is a good idea to double-check and compare its answers against literature, news, knowledge bases, etc. But it is good enough for me to chat with it and ask its opinion. So, this is the opinion-blog “CHATTING WITH OPENAI’s GPT4o”. The answers are fully credited to the AI.

This week’s Chat: Why do people feel the need to moralize now, sometimes even when their past is sinful, or being passive in the face of “evil”, or just apathic?  Another question is why do people remain passive in “trying times”, but when in their “comfort zone” they appear to take the moral high ground?

My motivation for this question is my observation that on social media (mainly Facebook), but also by talking to people, I have observed a recurring trend in which people increasingly engage in moralizing on certain subjects. And when I look at their past behavior, there is an awareness of their own past being mired in sin or remaining passive when confronted with wrongdoing by others. My first reaction is always: “You confuse the moral high ground with self-righteousness, so better stay quiet”. An interesting subject, so that is why I wanted to find out more.

Although it may not seem like it, this subject is also an Economic and a Governance subject. The complexity of emotions, simpleness of responses and acceptance of whatever is or is not, hinders cooperation, communication, organization of effort, trust and therefore has an economic and governance impact. And Economics is a Behavioral Science after all.

This phenomenon also raises questions in me about the complexities of human behavior and the factors that contribute to our responses to moral dilemmas. As we delve deeper into the motivations behind such behavior, we may uncover valuable insights in the social context in which we find ourselves. And of course, self-reflection is good, if we learn from it.

So, what does GPT4o think about this. Let’s do this and see what we can learn.

ME: Why do people feel the need to moralize now, when their past is full of sin, being passive in the face of “evil”, or just apathic?

GPT: The desire to moralize, especially when one’s past is marked by mistakes or “sin,” can arise from several psychological and sociocultural factors. Here are a few possible reasons:

1. Personal growth and redemption: People often go through transformative experiences that lead them to reflect on their past actions and seek personal growth. Recognizing their past mistakes, they may feel a deep need to make amends, improve themselves, and align their behavior with their newfound understanding of what is morally right. Moralizing can be a way for individuals to demonstrate their commitment to change and to distance themselves from their previous behaviors.
2. Moral values and societal norms: Societies establish moral values and norms to foster cooperation, cohesion, and the well-being of their members. These values guide behavior and help individuals navigate social interactions. When people have deviated from societal norms or violated their own moral values, they may feel compelled to emphasize moral principles to reaffirm their commitment to a better path and seek societal acceptance.
3. Cognitive dissonance and self-justification: Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort that arises when a person holds conflicting beliefs or behaves in a way that contradicts their values. To reduce this discomfort, individuals may engage in self-justification and moralizing behavior. By strongly asserting moral principles, they can alleviate the cognitive dissonance caused by their past actions and reassure themselves and others that they have changed or are now aligned with their moral ideals.
4. Social approval and reputation management: Public opinion plays a significant role in shaping how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others. When people are aware of their past mistakes or “sins,” they may feel the need to moralize to gain social approval, restore their reputation, or regain the trust of others. By demonstrating a strong moral stance, they hope to distance themselves from their past actions and rebuild their image.
5. Cultural and religious influences: Cultural and religious backgrounds can strongly influence individuals’ moral frameworks and their perception of right and wrong. If someone has a religious or cultural belief system that emphasizes moral values, they may feel compelled to moralize to uphold the teachings of their faith or culture. This can be particularly pronounced if they feel they have strayed from those principles in the past.

It’s important to recognize that people are complex and can evolve over time. While one’s past actions may have been imperfect, it doesn’t necessarily invalidate their capacity to engage in moral discussions or advocate for ethical behavior in the present. Growth, self-reflection, and a genuine desire to improve are fundamental aspects of the human experience.

ME: Ok, let’s go back to root cause before moralizing became the behavior. Why do most people remain passive in the face of evil and injustice?

GPT: There are various reasons why people might remain passive in the face of evil and injustice. Some of these reasons include:

1. Fear: Fear can be a powerful inhibitor that prevents individuals from acting. People may fear the potential consequences of speaking out or intervening, such as retaliation, harm to themselves or their loved ones, or social ostracism. Fear can paralyze individuals and make them hesitant to challenge or confront injustice.
2. Bystander effect: The bystander effect is a social phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help or act when others are present. This diffusion of responsibility occurs because people assume that someone else will step forward or that their individual actions won’t make a significant difference. This can lead to passivity and inaction, even when faced with evident injustice.
3. Lack of awareness or understanding: Sometimes, people may remain passive because they are not fully aware of the extent of the problem or its consequences. They might not have access to accurate information, or they may not fully comprehend the implications of the injustice at hand. Without a proper understanding, individuals may fail to recognize the urgency or importance of acting.
4. Power dynamics: Power imbalances can influence people’s willingness to confront evil or injustice. Those who hold positions of power or authority might benefit from maintaining the status quo or may be complicit in perpetuating the injustice. In such cases, individuals may fear retribution, loss of privileges, or damage to their own positions if they challenge the existing power structures.
5. Social norms and conformity: Social norms and pressure to conform to group expectations can discourage individuals from challenging injustice. People often seek validation and acceptance from their social circles, and deviating from the perceived norm can be uncomfortable or even risky. This conformity can lead to the perpetuation of injustice when individuals prioritize social acceptance over standing up for what is right.
6. Helplessness and apathy: In the face of overwhelming evil or injustice, some individuals may feel a sense of helplessness or apathy. They might believe that their actions will have no significant impact or that the problem is too large to solve. This feeling of powerlessness can lead to resignation and a lack of motivation to act.

It’s important to note that not everyone remains passive in the face of evil and injustice. Many individuals and groups do take a stand, advocate for change, and work towards rectifying injustices. The reasons for passivity can vary from person to person, and addressing these barriers requires a collective effort to foster awareness, empower individuals, challenge social norms, and promote a culture of empathy and social responsibility.

ME: People moralizing on certain subjects despite their own past involvement in wrongdoing or passivity is clearly a complex phenomenon. One that, I am trying to understand myself.

It is possible that some people have the capacity for growth, transformation, and the pursuit of redemption. Most of us do “F*** up” from time to time. While some may engage in moralizing to reconcile their past and reaffirm their commitment to positive change, others may succumb to the pressures of fear, conformity, and social norms, leading to passivity in the face of injustice.

To move forward, it is crucial to foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and open dialogue. We need to talk about it. Encouraging self-reflection and acknowledging our imperfections as part of the human experience can create an environment that promotes growth and eventually forgiveness. Education and awareness about cognitive biases, such as the bystander effect, can empower individuals to overcome barriers to action and become more proactive in addressing injustice.

Furthermore, we must strive to create a society that values accountability and encourages individuals to take responsibility for their past actions while supporting their journey towards positive change. By promoting inclusivity, promoting restorative justice, and providing avenues for personal growth, we can collectively work towards building a more compassionate and just world, where individuals learn from their past and actively contribute to a better future.

(Answers are credited to GPT4, most pictures credited to DALL-E, also an AI)

Dieudonne (Neetje) van der Veen is a financial and management business advisor. His work and experience are mainly in the field of financial management and structuring of companies in distress and Governance on Planning & Control cycles.

Mr. van der Veen has a master’s degree in business economics (Erasmus University Rotterdam), is a Registered Accountant (Royal Dutch Professional Organization of Accountants), CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) and CICA (Certified Internal Control Auditor).