...to me?!
I came across a newspaper article recently, in which Daisy
Lowe was being unfavourably compared to Emma Forbes. Both had been papped in
their swim suits whilst on holiday and were being critiqued for their choice of
swim-wear. I was a little incredulous that this sort of article still made the
news, but was reminded in the last few days that there is still appetite for
this kind of critiquing with the current flurry of award ceremonies. This is
peak time for the appraisal of celebrity fashion and the shaming of those who
commit fashion faux pas.
Despite collaboration being the buzzword in business and
education we are still fuelled by competition. I get the argument: competition
spurs on excellence and innovation. Many would also argue that competition is
part of our Darwinian heritage, but it strikes me that with the advancement of technology,
the need for competition in order than I might live or reproduce are no longer
required. Whilst I can see there will always be competition in the world of
work and sport, my concern is that I apply the same competitive nature to my
life. This leads to a false and unhealthy comparison with others.
Whilst encouraging a friend to step out into a new
project, I feel fearful I am getting left behind. I want to be the one who
rejoices at their victories and weeps at their losses but all too often
another’s victory leads to my own self-doubt and a mental side-ways glance to
see how I am measuring up.
Aristotle’s proposal for the good life is through the
development and application of virtues. He believed the flourishing of the
individual would inevitably lead to the flourishing of society. Sounds good,
but working out the reality of this is hard and even modern philosophers
disagree with how this can be achieved. One of his ideas, which I love, is the
virtue of friendship. To want the best for your friend without the motivation
to benefit oneself is a high bar to set, but I believe one worth reaching for.
Where is the place for competition in friendship? One might argue that there is
no place, surely competition would lead to jealousy, upset and perhaps even
relationship break-down. An American philosopher, Richard Kraut believes that
there is a place for competition within friendship and virtue ethics. He calls
this ‘moral competition’. This is the idea that there can be rivalry when being
virtuous. However, this does not lead to the traditional ‘winners and losers’
in competition. Everyone is a winner as when an individual succeeds in acting
virtuously, not only does that person benefit but also the people around them.
If the act is truly virtuous then it should benefit all involved.
I’m not sure I’m totally convinced – it seems so easy to
fall prey to pride or smugness in this kind of competition. It is all rather
dependent on my definition of virtuous which is something hotly debated amongst
modern philosophers.
Psychologists explain that female competitiveness is a
result of a Darwinian compulsion to be impregnated by the best man. This seems
an outdated, uncomfortable notion, yet the comparisons continue.
When our value is left in the hands of another, what are we
left with but comparison and competition? When this competitive spirit takes
hold of us we end up living in a small, limited world. The truth is the world
is bigger than we imagine and we are greater than we can conceive. In a world
without competition, without the threat of losing, who could you be?
What are the benefits of competition?
To what extent do you think collaboration a good alternative
to competition?
What tips do you have for combating the competitive spirit
that compels us to make comparisons?
