One of the problems with morality is that it becomes other focused as much as self-focused. When it becomes self-focused, the self is treated as another who needs to behave in a certain way. The difference is virtue versus morality. Morality is trying to appear good. Virtue is being good. Morality is about behavior. Virtue is about basic character. Morality tends to project itself onto others. For example, why don't others behave in the way I think I should behave? Which is not a very good way to maintain good relations with others.
Virtue by contrast is engaging in innate qualities that exist deep within the self. Virtue fundamentally can be cultivated, brought forth, and manifested. Things, old-school things, are almost embarrassing to say at this point like wisdom, compassion, generosity, patience, discipline, exertion, concentration, joy, strength of character, integrity. The way to engage in virtue is to forget about morality. The problem with morality is the idea that we can force behavior on others and then we'll have a better world. It's always and everywhere a failed project.
The problem with virtue is that it takes a very long time. It’s effortful. And it’s silent. It’s inner. Morality can be enforced to a degree, but it doesn't change people's character at a fundamental level. It often makes them bitter and angry. Obviously it may change them in some way, but it is unlikely to change them in the deep and meaningful way we want. Most likely morality will change them to adjust their behavior to be in conformity with norms around them. Notice the morality of mask wearing and being vaccinated, the self-righteous judgments of it.
It's important for us who object to these things to not be moralistic, overly moralistic about our own factors such as freedom, which tends to be a core value, independence, and so forth. It's much more powerful to exhibit virtue in those regards, to be free, to be free in mind especially.
So this is my suggestion, it's how I try to live my life. Whenever things get difficult and unpleasant, I settle into an essential deep quality of my being and realize that I have a full complement of virtues. In fact, everyone does. It's how we're made. Recognizing that virtue is inherent in everyone prevents arrogance. Recognizing that they may be suppressing it thoroughly prevents naïveté.
We can't get rid of virtuous traits. We just haven't brought them forth and that's why people behave in varying negative ways.
This is very blissful feeling, this idea that at our deepest core component, we're basically good no matter who we are. Even Bill Gates and Fauci and Robert Malone, all of us, we have this quality and seeing that quality in others, instead of attacking them relentlessly as being bad people, see their inherent virtues and try to bring those virtues forth. It will be much more powerful if people engage in this virtue themselves and overcome it instead of viewing them as an enemy, seeing them as a friend who has been overcome by demonic thoughts or something like that. Their goodness is lost to them and it would be a shame if our goodness became lost to us.
In sum: encourage virtue in others. Encourage people to be their best self by knowing it can never be destroyed, only subsumed. Avoid forcing behavior patterns on people. We’ve had enough of that.
See goodness in others. Call it forth. It works, but it’s not easy. And it only works if you actually try. It only works if you see it in yourself first.