How do role models shape moral frameworks in a democratic society?
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How do role models shape moral frameworks in a democratic society?
At York University in Canada, political theorist Nicholas Poole is exploring how role models influence our sense of right and wrong. His research focuses on how these people shape our values and help build a shared moral framework amidst cultural diversity.
Talk like a … political theorist
Democratic theory — the study of how societies should be organised to ensure equality and freedom for all citizens
Epistemology — the study of human knowledge
Exemplars — role models or individuals who inspire us by embodying qualities we admire
Moral framework — a set of beliefs or principles that shape what individuals consider morally right or wrong
Normativity — standards or principles that guide moral judgment or behaviour
Nuance — a slight difference that may not be immediately obvious
Pluralism — a situation where people of different social classes, religions, races, etc., live together in a society but continue to have different traditions and interests
Think tank — an organisation that researches social, cultural and political issues, policies and strategies
Throughout our lives, we encounter individuals who inspire us and shape our values. These ‘exemplary’ figures, whether they are historical icons, public heroes or personal mentors, play a crucial role in guiding our sense of right and wrong. But how exactly do these exemplars influence our moral decisions? What makes some figures more impactful than others? And how can we find common ground in a diverse world with varying moral frameworks?
Nicholas Poole, a political theorist at York University, investigates these questions in his research on democratic theory and public freedom. Inspired by the writings of the 20th century political theorist Hannah Arendt, particularly her idea that our moral decisions depend on the company we keep, Nicholas aims to understand how exemplary figures shape our values and contribute to building a shared moral framework in a world of diversity.
Why are exemplars important?
Exemplars serve as role models who inspire and guide us throughout our lives. These individuals, whether well-known figures, like civil rights activist Rosa Parks and scientist Albert Einstein, or personal mentors, like a wise teacher or a courageous friend, embody qualities we admire and aspire to emulate. “The normative influence of exemplars is apparent in the ways we return to and repeat their lessons to ourselves. We surround ourselves with various reminders (like photographs, works of art, books or letters), and these may, in turn, shape our values, character and conscience,” explains Nicholas. The impact exemplars have extends beyond personal development – they also play a key role in public life, as seen when communities celebrate figures who embody shared values, or challenge monuments or statues that no longer reflect their ideals.
How do exemplars impact our judgement?
Exemplars play a vital role in shaping our judgement of right and wrong. They serve as tangible models of behaviour that we can consciously or subconsciously mimic. “Certain religious traditions, for example, explicitly promote the imitation of their founding figures,” says Nicholas. “A Christian may ask themselves, ‘what would Jesus do?’ or a Confucian, ‘what would Confucius do?’ and consciously set their actions by the light of such examples.”
However, in our contemporary world, traditional moral frameworks are less dominant, and individuals often choose their own exemplars based on personal values and beliefs. “Two key questions in my research concern what happens when we are exposed to exemplars that do not fit a given ethical framework, and what happens when our relation to them entails a high degree of personal freedom and responsibility,” explains Nicholas.
When we think about how exemplars influence what we think is right or wrong, we start to question whether we can still recognise morality if it depends on different examples. Why should we choose to follow people like Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi instead of someone like Adolf Hitler or a fictional character like Bluebeard? This raises a big philosophical question: how can we accept different role models without saying that anything goes? “My way of dealing with this problem is to consider the activity of judging itself, which, following Arendt’s thinking, is a mental capacity uniquely suited to pluralism – where different people, with different values share the same situation,” says Nicholas. “I believe that when our appreciation of exemplars is accomplished through judgement, we are led to endorse and keep company with those that, as far as we can see, promote the freedom and equality of the diverse range of people with whom we share the world.” Although there will be considerable diversity in the exemplars that shape individuals in a democratic society, such a society will reject exemplars like Adolf Hitler and endorse exemplars like Martin Luther King, because our judgement tells us that Hitler threatens the freedom and equality that a healthy democracy needs, while King promotes it.
How can we agree on exemplars in a diverse society?
“In contexts of pluralism, we cannot assume others share our exemplars,” says Nicholas. “One of the burdens of judgement is to accept that the exemplars that inform our sense of right and wrong may not be the same as those of our peers.” However, this diversity does not mean that we cannot find common ground. Instead of seeking complete unanimity, which can lead to rigid and authoritarian viewpoints, we should embrace the freedom and diversity inherent in democratic societies.
Reference
https://doi.org/10.33424/FUTURUM527
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One way to bridge these differences is through storytelling. Sharing stories about the exemplary people and events that have influenced us invites others to understand our perspectives and creates a sense of shared experience. “Stories promote the active imaginations of listeners and make possible new beginnings from shared starting points,” explains Nicholas. “The potentially adversarial ‘I-you’ relationship gives way to a democratic ‘we’.”
What are Nicholas’s next steps?
The next phase of Nicholas’s research will focus on exploring exemplars as a uniquely democratic source of normativity, distinct from heroes, idols, myths and symbols. He aims to explore how imagination shapes our ethics and politics, and how exemplars can promote democratic values. “I also hope to dedicate more attention to questions surrounding new media,” says Nicholas. “If considering exemplars in a democracy requires certain kinds of mental practices, like reflection, storytelling and perspective-taking, how might social media promote or inhibit those practices?”
Nicholas Poole
Program for Social and Political Thought, York University, Toronto, Canada
Fields of research : Political theory, political philosophy
Research project: The Normativity of Public Freedom: Towards a Democratic Theory of Exemplarity
Funder: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
About philosophy and political theory
Philosophy and political theory explore the foundational questions of human existence, society and governance. Philosophy – the love of wisdom – encompasses the study of reality, knowledge and values through critical analysis and logical reasoning. It investigates profound questions about the nature of existence, the limits of human understanding, and the principles of moral conduct. Within this broad discipline, political theory addresses issues related to politics, justice and the organisation of societies.
The research methods used in philosophy are themselves subject to philosophical questioning. “Exploring ways of thinking is just as important as exploring what we find ourselves drawn to think about,” says Nicholas. “Students of philosophy must find their own way amidst the differing approaches and styles of philosophy used throughout the history of the discipline.”
Nicholas’s research in political theory has been particularly influenced by two philosophical approaches developed in Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries: phenomenology and hermeneutics. Phenomenology involves describing appearances in a straightforward way, free from overarching explanatory frameworks, while hermeneutics emphasises interpretation and understanding. Together, these methods allow researchers to explore phenomena’s nuances without compromising their integrity.
Research in philosophy and political theory presents unique challenges. “The realms of philosophical inquiry are as wide as the realms of human experience,” says Nicholas. “This places unique burdens on the philosopher!” Philosophers must navigate a broad range of inquiry, distinguishing between interconnected topics and transforming personal experiences into general insights. This pursuit of conceptual clarity often involves grappling with complex puzzles and paradoxes, demanding continuous reflection and reconsideration.
The ever-present sense of wonder, as noted by the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, can be daunting, yet it is this very challenge that makes philosophical research so rewarding. “The opportunity it provides to explore the questions that touch us deeply, to discover some measure of truth however partial it may end up being, and to find one’s own voice amidst the wealth of voices stretching across place and time, all contribute to a general sense of richness,” says Nicholas.
Pathway from school to philosophy and political theory
To prepare for a career in philosophy and political theory, you should focus on a broad, interdisciplinary education. Subjects such as literature, history and social studies are crucial for developing critical thinking and analytical skills. Courses in psychology and economics can provide insights into human behaviour and societal structures, enriching your understanding of political theory.
“Each stage of pursuing a career in political theory calls for different kinds of practical advice,” says Nicholas. “In the earliest stage, cultivating the basic skills of reading, writing, and communicating are most important.”
At university, studying philosophy, political science, or a related field would be beneficial. Take courses in political theory, ethics, logic and epistemology. Complementary courses in sociology, anthropology and law will help broaden your perspectives on how societies function and interact.
“Keeping an eye beyond the social sciences and humanities and on the physical and pure sciences may also help the political theorist have a better sense of the bounds of their discipline,” says Nicholas. “There are lots of examples of researchers moving from engineering or archaeology into philosophy for their graduate studies.”
Nicholas adds, “While there are many paths into political theory, the most obvious one is to read in political theory, study its history and contemporary debates, and keep an eye on the pressing issues of our time.”
Explore introductory texts by key thinkers like Hannah Arendt to deepen your understanding and test your interest in the field. Websites such as the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy and the American Philosophical Association offer valuable resources for future philosophers.
Explore careers in philosophy and political theory
A career in philosophy and political theory can lead to roles in academia, public policy, non-profit organisations, and ‘think tanks’. Building a strong CV with diverse academic accomplishments is vital for securing a job post-graduation.
York University, where Nicholas is based, has a webpage highlighting career options in philosophy.
Prospects provides information of careers that a degree in philosophy can lead to.
Academic Invest also offers useful information on careers with a philosophy degree.
Meet Nicholas
I entered university on a soccer scholarship, enrolled in health sciences, and having very little idea what philosophy or political theory was about. In my third year, I went through something of an identity crisis and, during a subsequent year away from university, recalled my grade 12 history teacher discussing some of the ideas that, I would learn, are basic to political theory, like: ‘right’ and ‘left,’ communism, conservatism, liberalism and neoliberalism. I found myself passionately reading a rather eclectic group of thinkers, including Karl Marx, Leo Tolstoy and Henry David Thoreau. Now, I can see I was searching for some new way to understand myself and the world in the wake of my departure from athletics. When I returned to university, I eagerly enrolled in philosophy and politics and, much to the credit of my teachers, found myself captivated by the questions and texts.
One of the gifts of the work that I do is that it offers me the opportunity to reflect on a wide range of personal experiences, in light of what I am reading and writing. If I were to name just one kind of experience that has been essential to shaping my career, however, it has been meeting other students and teachers from across disciplines in the social sciences and humanities that are equally invested in the life of the mind. It is through them that the solitary activity of thinking has become less lonely, that support and encouragement has been found, and that the value of what we do is made apparent.
Part of me embraces the fact that my work weaves into and out of other parts of my life. A news story on the radio, a pop song, or an overheard conversation in a coffee shop can excite a path of thought that has me reaching for pen and paper or opening the notes app on my phone. Too little separation between work and the rest of life can, however, be unhealthy. I try to balance things by spending time with friends and family, playing my fiddle, enjoying cinema, going on road trips, tending my garden, exercising, and working in carpentry.
I am grateful to have had my work published in the journal Arendt Studies and in an edited collection on women and philosophy, to have been awarded a Canada Graduate Scholarship by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, to have been accepted to present my work at academic conferences, and to have had the opportunity to introduce undergraduate students to the discipline as a seminar teacher.
I hope to have the opportunity to continue my research as a post-doctoral fellow and eventually to teach at a university as a professor. Because the job market is highly competitive at the moment, however, I need to keep my options open, which is why I currently work as a carpenter alongside my research.
Nicholas’s top tips
1. Cultivate a love for nuance.
2. Find inspiration in great writers and thinkers.
3. Notice the people around you that exemplify intellectual honesty, humility, conceptual clarity, and breadth of mind.
4. Allow your intellectual life to ebb and flow alongside other interests.
Do you have a question for Nicholas?
Write it in the comments box below and Nicholas will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)
Read about political science research:
www.futurumcareers.com/why-electoral-systems-matter-for-democracy
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