In Defense of Hypocrisy: Picking Sides in the War on Virtue

by Jeremy Lott

"With verve, gusto, and just the right amount of humility, Jeremy Lott argues that hypocrisy isn't as bad as advertised, and that the critics of hypocrisy are often hypocritical themselves. A perfect read and a necessary corrective for this political season." -- Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit.com "Lott argues convincingly that acts of hypocrisy can be embraced, not dismissed. In this highly-readable book, he makes the counterintuitive suggestion that hypocrisy is a natural element of the human condition." -- David Mark, author, Going The Art of Negative Campaigning   "The popular usage of the term 'hypocrite' is expansive like a shotgun blast, and is often brought in to describe someone we don't like, doing something that we disagree with, involving some sort of perceived contradiction." It's an old familiar routine. Dick accuses Jane of rank hypocrisy, while ignoring his own moral inconsistencies. Jane is outraged by the charge, and fires right back. And author Jeremy Lott? Well he's blowing a wet raspberry at the whole ridiculous spectacle. In Defense of Hypocrisy deconstructs pat prejudices and shallow moralism to probe hypocrisy's real significance, In Defense of Hypocrisy is part political, part religious, part philosophical, and all honesty. Though the word has long since reached epithet status, Lott beckons the reader to see the real virtue-impoverished agendas behind the accusations and embrace a sturdier, more realistic understanding of a much-maligned vice. The charges have been brought, the jury bought, and the judge clears his throat to hand down the expected "Hypocrisy is a most damnable offense. . . " " Not so fast ," says Jeremy Lott. "I object!" In Defense of Hypocrisy is the case for a mistrial-a thought-provoking, wit-filled, morally-charged, rollicking justification of good people who behave badly. Lott tackles the alleged two-facedness of popular targets from Bill Bennett to Dick Morris to Britney Spears . Far from focusing merely on politics, Lott looks at philosophy, history, theology, and pop culture to give the hypocrites their due. This gutsy expose of the corrosive uses of hypocrisy accusations will challenge you to open your mind, hang the jury, and decide for Is hypocrisy really so bad?

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Paul Elessar Caceres · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some good points but they're a bit scattered throughout the book. A lot of times, I didn't really know what it was he was trying to say.

[Duncan McAlister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found it a bit meandering at times for such a short volume, though the conclusions were mostly sound. Hypocrisy does have a place in our societies.

[Paul Sand · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Imported automatically from my blog. Some formatting there may not have translated here.]

If it weren't for hypocrisy, this blog would be a lot sparser. It's easy to detect in others, and the accompanying ire it fuels tends to trigger my creative juices. And, while many other sins can be waved off or minimized in today's climate of moral relativism, hypocrisy can still be relied upon: nobody likes it, and you can condemn it roundly from a very high horse without others painting you as a blue-nosed Puritan. Fun!

(And today offers a great example of the genre: Victor Davis Hanson on Senator Obama vs. President Obama.)

Conversely, hypocrisy is nearly impossible to detect in oneself. I'm relatively sure that the Pun Salad archives are shot through with it; I was even more sure after reading this book. It's pretty much invisible to me, though.

Jeremy Lott takes a contrarian position on hypocrisy: it may be a sin, but it's also a social lubricant. And a necessary social lubricant. His argument is short and well-written. Although it delves into philosophy, with that field's customary precision and care in drawing fine distinctions, the tone remains light. In fact, there's funny stuff throughout. He draws his lessons not only from philosophy and religion, but also current events, politics, and movies.

Lott blogs at jeremylott.net (although his co-blogger Sean Higgins seems to be doing more of the writing recently), and he's a very smart guy. It's a good book.

Consumer note: it has not yet come out in paperback, but the new hardcover is currently "bargain priced" at Amazon for $8.97, a pretty good deal. I hope the author gets his royalties for 'em.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inviting primer on the knotty topic of hypocrisy, as it manifests itself in politics, religion, and Hollywood. Explores such specific questions as: "Was William Bennett a hypocrite to lecture people on virtues, while at the same time gambling away millions of dollars in Las Vegas?" (Lott intriguingly argues no) "Does hypocrisy dispel one's right to privacy (as Barney Frank once claimed) or is a kind of 'healthy hypocrisy' necessary for privacy to even be possible?" "Is it hypocritical for Hollywood stars to gain moral credit for vouching for various charitable causes--while at the same time receiving hefty speaking fees for their 'charitable' work?" "What was Jesus really angry at when he denounced the Scribes as 'hypocrites'? The hypocrisy itself, or just the underlying sins that made their teachings hypocritical?" Lott illuminates these provocative questions very well, and includes a number of books and essays for further reading.

[Tim Lundquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exploration of the idea of hypocrisy and its use as a weapon in politics. Most thought provoking argument--the charge of hypocrisy is usually banded about by those that seek to dull the force of any argument about morality. "Wait until marriage to have sex? Yeah, says the Catholic Church which molests Children." Hypocrisy is most often used to sidestep the issue at hand.