Nobility
30 Oct 2021 - 08 Nov 2026
Nobility is the aspiration to manifest glory for the benefit of others. Nobility is using whatever abilities we have in service of others. Nobility is seeking to fulfill our in-born human potential, and to develop all our in-born human qualities.
- In the Meaningness system, the term denotes a complete stance , compared to the partial and lesser stances of ordinariness or specialness.
- Nobility | Meaningness
- with handy chart Schematic overview: value | Meaningness
- Nobility is not a status or rank, but an intention or stance:
Because nobility is an intention, it is possible for everyone...The idea of being “noble” may sound remote or ridiculous. However, it is actually possible—whereas it is not possible to be either ordinary or special. Nobility is actually available to all of us in every moment, simply by choosing it. It is frightening; but to me it seems infinitely worthwhile.
- Available to all...it's interesting. The corollary of that is that if you act less than noble, you have only yourself to blame. That is frightening!
- Maybe "nobility" isn't the right word for something that is available to all. In the historic sense, the word indicates a special class of people, elevated above the plebes. That kind of nobility (aka aristocracy) is by birth and very much not available as a free choice. (see Against Nobility )
- Which recalls this passage from You Must Change Your Life:
the spiritual chances which still fascinate us as the higher and highest possibilities of human beings: these include a non-economic definition of wealth, a non-aristocratic definition of the noble, a non-athletic definition of high achievement, a nondominatory definition of ‘above’, a non-ascetic definition of perfection, a non-military definition of bravery and a non-bigoted definition of wisdom and fidelity.
- Nobility is a completion (sort of like a dialectical synthesis? or what is left after you zap a fake dualism?) of "specialness" and "ordinariness". Specialness perverts nobility into status + pride, ordinariness into status + ressentiment .
Specialness demands constant confirmation. That is because no one really can be special, and no one is special. The illusion of specialness is in constant danger of collapse. Nobility takes itself for granted, and needs no confirmation. When we have that intention, we have no doubt of it. Specialness aims at a brilliant destiny; nobility is always already complete.
- I like that but am baffled by how to operationalize it. Also seems to run counter to observed reality. In this world, some people are special, they have certain gifts that others don't. Also aiming at a brilliant destiny doesn't seem so bad – not that I do it, but thank god there are those who do.
- From the handy chart
- Pattern of thinking
- Specialness: Disdain; self-aggrandisement
- Ordinariness: Fearfulness, laziness
- Nobility: Impeccability
- FWIW being Jewish means constantly told you are special – as a people, if not individuals. Like many elements of my heritage I can't really say I approve of that, but also it is ingrained in me.
- Hah, and obvious Jewish guilt is just the dual of this. Our crimes against god are worse because we are supposed to be so special.
Specialness serves in order to rise, whereas nobility rises in order to serve.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
- – US Constitution
It is not easy to let go of hope that one day we will discover our “true life-mission,” given by the cosmic plan.
- . I don't wish to brag or humblebrag, but was this ever a problem for me? I certainly had a lot of hope, but wouldn't describe it that way, it was a hope of belonging, not a hope of mission or accomplishment. Even when I was pretentious my attitude was that of a slob.