The Lady Vanishes

Malcolm Gladwell discusses the effects of moral licensing, focusing on women’s rights in predominately male areas such as the Royal Academy of Art, and the politics in Australia. In both cases, women are faced with severe resistance after initially being lauded for their savviness. Gladwell explains, in the context of moral licensing that men find themselves vindicated because they have adopted an open, progressive view. Thus, they return to their prejudiced ways and stop women from achieving equal status.

           I was fascinated by the prevalence of moral licensing. Even Park Geun-hye, the president of South Korea, could be interpreted as a case of moral licensing. Korean politics has always been dominated by men, and Park Geun-hye is the first female president of Korea. But was she really the best candidate for the job? Now, I am not sure. Many now argue that she became president because of her familial connections and her gender. Maybe that is why she has been plagued with rumors about her sex life. Moral licensing has taken effect, and the supporters of Park Geun-hye are expressing their chauvinist views by saying this would have never happened with a male president.

           One interesting aspect of moral licensing, at least in my opinion, was how it emulates progress and change. The established class allows the oppressed to take a step forward, before slamming the door in their faces. The phenomenon gives a façade of change which gives some hope to the oppressed that things are getting better. But that is only an illusion. Little changes in behavior that results from senses of guilt or pity rarely bring about real change. Progress can only come from motions that erupt from a sense of injustice, that the status quo is wrong in our hearts, not from a temporary remedy that only aggravates the situation in the long run.

           Moral licensing makes us lose grasp of the big picture, the end goal, the whole purpose behind our actions. For example, I may work out to keep myself in shape. After an exhausting regime, I eat fast food and soft drinks, telling myself that I deserve a treat. In the end, the goal of keeping in shape is defeated. Moral licensing vindicates the immoral deeds by shrouding it in a thin veneer of legitimacy. I believe more people should try to identify moral licensing and focus on combatting it. Progress is hard enough without the injustice being justified.