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Chapter Three: The Challenge
Donna (thoughtful): I don’t see why people have to be totally put into one type or the other. Aren’t most of them mixed? Some believe that being virtuous means obeying God’s commandments and living a life of self-denial and sacrifice. And they have to give away all or most of their wealth and sheepishly play down their success.
But I know that many of these same people also tell white lies, pretend they didn’t know they just cut in line, you know, little things. And the other types, the big cheaters, they don’t cheat all the time.
I think the virtuous ones share some belief in common with the unscrupulous people Neville just described—the ones who believe that success requires dishonesty, and who proceed to live that way.
Donald (puzzled): You mean a belief that people might practice virtue, but to be happy and have practical success they have to cheat? They can’t be both virtuous and successful?
Neville (increasingly interested): You know, I took a number of philosophy classes in college. In ethics courses, that’s one of the questions discussed: Can people be both good and successful—both virtuous and happy—both moral and practical?
Donald: What did your big-time college professors decide?
Neville: For the most, they said: no, morality is not practical.
Donna: I guess it’s a question every person must decide for himself—in keeping with his own conscience. (Turning to Neville): What do you think?
Neville (pausing, considering the question carefully): I doubt that moral virtue helps a person gain practical success. More often, I think, the reverse is true: corrupt people become successful—and the good ones get stomped on. But to tell you the truth, I’m not sure of this—and I’m open to you trying to change my mind. But one thing I do believe is that most people think morality gets in the way of their own practical goals. Most believe that virtue is a barrier to their success and happiness—and will choose their own self-interest in almost every case in which it conflicts with morality.
Donald (grimly): OK. But maybe we can convince you. You game to try?
Neville (smiling): Sure, I enjoy a challenge. But I doubt you can succeed. You see, I hold no religious beliefs at all.
Donald: I understand. It was clear in what you said earlier.
Donna: How do you want to go about it?
Neville: Remember, I won’t acknowledge anything that requires faith or acceptance of such beliefs as “God said this or God said that” or anything similar. Clear?
Donald: All right, I got that. What if we start by coming up with all of the characteristics about people we consider virtuous—and then examine those characteristics to see if they help people reach success or happiness, or if they hinder that attempt? What do you say?Back to Chapter Two
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