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Arrogance is the act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims in an overbearing manner; "that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; lordliness; haughtiness; self-assumption; presumption".[1] It is sometimes synonymized with hubris. As one source states, "the distinctions among self-confidence, arrogance, and hubris are very fine":[2]
Self-confidence involves a realistic appraisal of one's abilities and provides one with a level of discernment and assurance to act as needed. Arrogance is thinking more highly of oneself and emboldens people to lead. At the same time arrogance creates blinders to make one ignorant of risks. Hubris is a reckless pride acting as if one is god-like and therefore invulnerable.[2]
The term arrogance comes from the Latin adrogare, meaning "to feel that one has a right to demand certain attitudes and behaviors from other people". To arrogate means "to claim or seize without justification... To make undue claims to having",[3] or "to claim or seize without right... to ascribe or attribute without reason".[4]
From a religious perspective, "[p]ride and arrogance are related in that pride means focus on self and putting self ahead of God and others while arrogance is a manifestation of pride".[5] A passage of the Bible has God saying that "I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease".[6]
However, some argue that arrogance can lead to positive ends, since arrogant people or enterprises may be motivated to take risks that would deter the uncertain.
The industry has found some validity in the theory that arrogance is necessary to achieve above-average success. Arrogant behavior has a long tradition in the industry: it was essentially defined by Apple Computer cofounder Steve Jobs and refined by Osborne Computer founder Adam Osborne.[7]
Stewart Alsop notes that individual arrogance can be distinct from corporate arrogance, and that a corporation can be arrogant as an entity even if none of the people who comprise it are arrogant as individuals.[7]
"Unlike narcissism, which has received a huge amount of attention from psychoanalysts, the character trait of arrogance has largely been ignored".[8]
"Arrogance focuses specifically upon (i) an attitude of superiority that is exaggerated and undeserved, (ii) a lack of self, questioning, and (iii) a tendency to look down upon others. Arrogance involves making false claims about one’s knowledge and skills, and, in the process, losing genuine contact with both oneself and others".[8]
Cultural attitudes towards arrogance may vary.
"Improper pride is arrogance; proper pride, one might say, is necessary for self-respect".[9]
David Hume wrote that "where men are the most sure and arrogant, they are commonly the most mistaken".[10]
Arrogance has been a recurring theme in literature, often serving as a character flaw that leads to downfall or tragedy. In Greek mythology, hubris—excessive pride or arrogance—was considered a grave offense against the gods. This concept is epitomized in characters such as Oedipus and Icarus. In modern popular culture, arrogant characters often play the role of villains or serve as cautionary examples. However, some portrayals highlight how thin the line is between confidence and arrogance.
References
edit- ^ "Definition for AR'RO-GANCE". Emily Dickinson Lexicon. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ a b John Shoup and Troy Hinrichs, Literature and Leadership: The Role of the Narrative in Organizational Sensemaking (2020), p. 69.
- ^ Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, p. 63, G. & C. Merriam Company (8th ed. 1976).
- ^ Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, p. 77 (2d Coll. ed. 1978).
- ^ Michael J. Akers, Morning and Evening Meditations from the Word of God (2014), p. 256.
- ^ Book of Isaiah 13:11.
- ^ a b Stewart Alsop II, "The Zen of Arrogance", PC Mag (May 27, 1986), p. 97-98.
- ^ a b Salman Akhtar, Ann Smolen, Arrogance: Developmental, Cultural, and Clinical Realms (Routledge, 2018).
- ^ P. M. S. Hacker, The Passions: A Study of Human Nature (2017), p. 132.
- ^ David Hume, in An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (1751), § 9.13 : Conclusion, Pt. 1.
 | This draft is intended to displace the redirect Arrogance with a primary topic article |
- This open draft remains in progress as of August 8, 2024.