Virtue signalling and cancel culture are two sides of the same equation. The first is about promoting the correct values, the second is about condemning non-compliance. These behaviours may come from government or community. They may occur with or without popular support. However, the fundamental purpose is always the same. Signalling and cancellation are complementary methods of expressing moral passion. They are complementary methods of campaigning for the things we perceive as right.
That perception often has no solid foundation. We often signal views which are not particularly virtuous. We cancel things which are not particularly offensive. There is no correlation between the objective merit of the cause and the enthusiasm with which we pursue it.
Hence moral passion may be entirely justified or entirely misconceived. Like a powerful hose, its force may be aimed in any direction. It can be used in furtherance of both good and bad.
While we are accustomed to passion as a good thing, it is neutral without context. It depends on what we are passionate about. Similarly, we are accustomed to virtue signalling and cancel culture as negative ideas but again they are neutral without context. It depends on what is signalled. It depends on what is cancelled.
The progressive is familiar with misdirected moral passion. They have observed extreme religious fervour. They have witnessed the righteous energy devoted to sport and other causes of no great moral consequence. They can see that the outcome of virtuous intent is often harmful or indifferent at best.
However, the progressive regards their own virtuous intent as an exception. Social justice is a rather different cause from religion or sport. It is not based on faith. It is not based on tribalism. It is based on science. It is based on years of authoritative research into human suffering. Hence the progressive feels an entitlement to their moral passion. Under progressive control, moral passion is a force for good. The progressive hose is always oriented in the right direction.
But even if correctly oriented, a hose can be destructive. It may use excessive force. It may create collateral damage. It may take out the innocent bystander. Good intentions may be poorly executed.
And here, the solid foundations for progressive passion becomes a liability. The progressive becomes over-confident in their moral stance. Because the general direction is right, everything they do must also be right. And so the hose is wielded with more force and less care. Once again, the outcome of virtuous intent is indifferent if not harmful.
So we must return to our core thesis that moral passion is neither good nor bad. There are no special exceptions for progressive moral passion. There is no exception for the well documented cause. Moral passion always has an equal potential for right and wrong.
That is the case, whoever wields the hose.
Isamu Drayya, October 2022
NEXT: The uncongenial campaign
isamu drayya 