What is a Hypocrite?
The definition of the Greek words hypocrite or hypocrisy has evolved over time, and now has a completely different meaning. Initially a hypocrite was someone who played a part, acted a part, or dissembled. Hypocrisy was the tool of actors, rhetoricians, and debaters in Ancient Greece. Specifically from rhetoric and debate, we can assign sides of an argument that a person must then take to his/her fullest capacity. We understand the side we take may not represent our true point of view; instead it’s merely a position in an argument that helps us to better understand the sides of an issue.
In the modern sense, being a hypocrite is a disagreeable thing, and there are plenty of idioms that express when someone is acting in this manner. “The pot calling the kettle black,” is a classic one and “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” is equally popular. Both represent the modern take on hypocrites in general. The hypocrite is someone who criticizes something that he also does. Alternately, someone who acts in manner that he specifically does not condone is acting in a hypocritical way.
Politics are a fertile field for finding examples of hypocrisy, but so is parenting. A parent who smokes and tells her children not to, is reeking of tobacco and hypocrisy. It’s difficult to expect children to take such a parent seriously, since he/she is acting in a manner which cancels out his/her advice. Similarly, a parent who curses frequently will have a hard time convincing children not to swear.
Political candidates and commentators from all sides of the political spectrum act with hypocrisy. Candidates who run on “family values” platforms and then have affairs are a good example, and unfortunately number many in the US. When their behavior is exposed, much of what they do or say in all aspects of their lives or political careers is called into question.
Just as in Greek times, when debate made use of hypocrisy, though in different fashion, political candidates attempt to expose hypocrisy in their running mates. Comedians, especially those who evaluate politicians often find hypocrisy one of the easiest things to mock. You’ll note in Stephen Colbert’s show, that his “Word of the Day” segment tends to focus on how political candidates make statements that are hypocritical. He points out statements political leaders have made in the past, to show that their positions do not stay static and often contradict what they’ve previously stated. In other words, they set double standards: one for themselves, and one for the rest of the world.
While the hypocrite may at some times be laughable, at other times, particularly when you’re looking at people with political power, it can reduce faith in the political system and politics in general. People grow weary of scandals, lies, and deliberate hypocrisy and may wonder if any politician is free from the taint of hypocrisy. Psychologists have suggested that we tend to be most critical about characteristics in others that we most hate in ourselves. Perhaps it is impossible to never be a hypocrite, though the goal of having your words match your deeds is a good one to set.
Written by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
